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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



KIRKPATEICK'S 

RELIGIOUS ORDE 

Sfc. 8fc. 

IN NORWICH. 



HISTORY 



OF THE 

RELIGIOUS ORDERS 

AND 

COMMUNITIES, 

AND OF THE 

HOSPITALS AND CASTLE, OF NORWICH; 




MR. JOHN KIRKPATRICK, 

Treasurer of the Great Hospital : 

Written about the year 1725. 




LONDON : 

EDWARDS AND HUGHES, AVE MARIA LANE. 

NORWICH : 
STEVENSON AND MATCHETT. 

M DCCC XLV. 



dp 



CHARLES SLOMAN, 

PRINTER, 
GREAT YARMOUTH. 



PREFACE. 



The Manuscript which, has supplied the materials for 
the following pages is a quarto volume of two hundred and 
fifty-eight folios ; the first sixty devoted to notes upon the 
Castle at Norwich, the remainder to an account of the 
Religious Orders and Houses, and the Hospitals of the 
City. It is altogether in the hand-writing of its author, 
Mr. John Kirkpatrick, by whom it was bequeathed, 
with many others, to the Norwich Corporation. No por- 
tion, however, of that bequest, which was neither unimpor- 
tant in quantity or in quality, remains at present in the hands 
of the legatees. Indeed, none is even known to be in exist- 
ence, except the volume before us ;* and this is now the pro- 
perty of the representatives of the late Mr. William Herring 
of Hethersett, whose father purchased it many years ago of 
a bookseller. He himself lent it to the editor, with the 

* Perhaps from this sweeping assertion should also be excepted a certain 
quantity of the " small pieces of paper containing notes of the tenure of each 
house in Norwich," [seep, xi); but on this subject the editor is not fully 
informed ; and he has reason to fear that, if such do exist, they are so scattered 
and injured by waste or neglect, as to be no longer applicable to any useful 
purpose. 



PREFACE. 



by the steps of the altar, bears the following Arms and 
Inscription : — 

"Argent, a saltier, and on a chief azure, three woolpacks of 
the field. 

Crest, a hand, holding a dagger, proper. 
Motto, I make sure. 

" Here resteth, in hopes of a joyful resurrection, the body of 
John Kirepatrice of this city, Merchant, and Treasurer to this 
Hospital. He was a man of a sound judgment, good understanding, 
and extensive knowledge ; industrious in his own business, and 
indefatigable in that of the Corporation, in which he was constantly 
employed. He died very much lamented by all that knew him, 
on the 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1728, aged 42." 

The farther particulars toriching Mr. Kirkpatrick that 
the editor has found it possible at this period to collect, are 
few, and principally extracted from a letter written by the 
late Mr. Woodward, himself no less persevering and suc- 
cessful an inquirer in the same line. His father was 
a native of the village of Closeburn in Dumfries-shire, a 
fact recorded by the son in his will, and farther proved by 
the arms just mentioned upon his tomb, which are those of 
the baronet's family of Kirkpatrick, of Closeburn. From 
Scotland he removed to Norwich, where he resided in the 
parish of St. Stephen. His son, John, was apprenticed in 
that of St. Clement, and subsequently established himself 
in business as a linen-merchant in St. Andrew's, in premises 
opposite Bridewell Alley. He was here in partnership with 
Mr. John Custance, who was mayor in 1726, and was the 
founder of the present family of that name at Weston. In 
the year of his partner's mayoralty, Mr. Kirkpatrick was 



PREFACE. 



ix 



appointed Treasurer of the Great Hospital in St. Helen's — ■ 
an office which his premature decease allowed him to oc- 
cupy only for two years. He married the youngest daughter 
of Mr. John Harvey, great-grandfather of the late Lieutenant- 
Colonel Harvey, of Thorpe Lodge, where his portrait was 
preserved during the life-time of that gentleman. It has 
since been engraved in the very interesting series of por- 
traits of the more eminent inhabitants of Norfolk, of whom 
no likenesses have yet appeared ; a work now in the course 
of publication, under the superintendence of Mr. Ewing. 
With such, Kirkpatrick is deservedly associated. He died 
childless. Of his family nothing more is known, than that 
he had a brother of the name of Thomas, who is men- 
tioned by Blomefield as being Chamberlain of Norwich at 
the time he wrote. The account-books of the Corporation 
contain several entries in reference to both the one and the 
other, but not of sufficient interest to warrant the quoting of 
them at length. Of the latter, they show that he was elected 
chamberlain with a salary of thirty pounds per annum, in 
the room of Matthew King, in 1732 ; that in the same year 
the freedom of the city was conferred upon him ; and that 
twelve years subsequently he was removed from his office, 
by reason of irregularity in his accounts. To the antiquary 
their testimony is invariably honorable ; the most frequent 
notices being votes of money for the services he had rendered 
in adjusting the different accounts of the city. 

As concerns the manuscript, more immediately the ob- 
ject before us, the following extract from Mr. Kirkpatrick's 
Will, will place, in the clearest point of view, his wishes 
and intentions regarding it, as well as regarding his other 



X 



PREFACE. 



papers of a similar description : — " I give to my brother, 
Thomas Kirkpatrick, all my manuscripts, books, and papers, 
(which I have with no small pains and expense collected 
and purchased) relating to the History of Norwich, to 
enjoy the same during his natural life. And, after his 
death, I give them all to the mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and 
commonalty of the said city, to be kept in the city treasury, 
in the Guild-Hall there ; as well for their use and service 
on occasion, as that some citizen hereafter, being a skilful 
antiquary, may from the same have an opportunity of com- 
pleting and publishing the said history, or such part of it 
as my said brother shall not publish. — I farther give to the 
mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty aforesaid, all my 
ancient manuscripts, and ancient coins of silver and brass, 
to be deposited in the library of the New Hall. — Also, all 
my printed books in the Anglo-Saxon language, and all 
such of my books as were printed before the year of our 
Lord 1660 and are not already in the said library ; together 
with Montfaucon's Antiquities, and Madox's Firma Burgi 
lately printed. — And I will and desire that all these things 
be kept there, for the same purposes as the other books in 
the said library are and shall be appointed by the said 
corporation." 

Of the manuscripts referred to in the will, which bears 
date July 17, 1729, and is in Mr. Kirkpatrick's own hand- 
writing, the following were safe in the custody of the 
corporation, about thirty years ago, when Mr. De Hague 
held the office of town-clerk. They have now disappeared, ' 
as mentioned above, with the exception of the volume here 



PREFACE. 



xi 



printed (No. S), and of a portion of trie papers included 
under the last number. 

No. 1. A thick folio volume of the Early History and Jurisdiction 
of the City; date 1720. 

2. A similar folio volume ; being an account of the Military 

State of the City — its walls, towers, ponds, pits, wells, 
pumps, &c; date 1722. 

3. A thick quarto. 

4. Several large bundles, foolscap folio ; — Annals of Norwich. 

5. A fasciculus, foolscap folio ; — Origin of Charities, and 

Wills relating thereto, in each parish. 

6. Memorandum-Books of Monuments. 

7. Ditto of Merchants' Marks. 

8. Ditto of Plans of Churches. 

9. Paper, containing Drawings of the City Gates and a Plan 

of Norwich. — This is said to have been in the possession 
of the Friars' Society. 

10. Drawings of all the Churches. — These Mr. Woodward 

has seen in the possession of Mr. William Matthews, 
Mr. De Hague's clerk. 

11. An immense number of small pieces of paper, containing 

notes of the tenure of each house in Norwich. 

In turning from the author to his subject-matter, it 
needs scarcely be mentioned that the points here selected 
by Mr. Kirkpatrick have already been described in the 
History of Norfolk, or that, as that portion of his work 
was completed and published by Mr. Blomefield himself, 
they are there treated of with knowledge and judgment. 
But his notices of them are necessarily scanty: the ma- 
terials before him were too comprehensive and varied, to 
allow of his dwelling upon any particular one in its »full 



xii 



PREFACE. 



details. And yet both the first and the last deserve to be 
thus handled ; and they are so in the present work, which, 
in reference to the topography of a County or a Hundred, 
may be regarded as the monograph of a botanist — describing 
the Lily or the Rose, with its many species and varieties, 
and the peculiarities of each — as compared with the Species 
Plantarum or the Flora Britannica. In the part devoted 
to the Religious Communities, our author gives an account 
of the establishment at Norwich of the four principal orders 
of Mendicant Friars, the Minors, the Augustins, the Do- 
minicans, and the Carmelites ; of the foundation of their 
monasteries and churches, their guilds and schools, and 
other dependencies ; of the continual increase of their lands 
and possessions ; of the benefactions they received ; of the 
different modes whereby individuals of importance became 
connected with them ; and of the eagerness shown by 
wealth and power to secure interment within their pre- 
cincts. He also points out the widely- extended influence 
obtained by means of their Letters of Confraternity ; and, 
he, on the other hand, draws in strong colors the reverse of 
the picture, when the wisdom of the Almighty, through 
the agency of human pride and violence, and perversity 
and lust, annihilated at a blow the mighty fabric. Their 
churches fell, and their lands were sold, and their 
property confiscated, and the eager hand of unsparing 
rapine was every where extended against them. Yet still 
the popish services and vestments and sacred vessels lin- 
gered ; and the fires in Smithfleld, kindled by the bigotry 
of Mary, for a while relumed the ancient rites, till " the 
Gospel light that first had dawned from Boleyn's eyes," 



PREFACE. 



xiii 



was at length diffused over the nation, under the sceptre of 
her successor. 

In speaking of the Norwich Hospitals, Mr. Kirkpatrick 
confines himself to two, those of Hildebrond and St. Paul, 
both early establishments, and both suppressed at the Re- 
formation. The latter, called also Norman's Spital, was 
founded at the beginning of the twelfth century, while 
Eborard held the see of Norwich ; and among its numerous 
charters it could boast of five, granted by English Kings — 
Henry the first and second, Stephen, John, and Edward 
the first. Its possessions in the county were considerable. 
In the seventeenth year of Queen Elizabeth, a part of it 
was converted into S( a bridewell and house of correction for 
sturdy beggars, who were therein set to work, to the great 
benefit of the commonwealth;" and in 1631 the whole was 
leased to one Robert Brooke, with a reservation, however, 
of so much of its antient character, that " he was obliged to 
take in and lodge for one night, in a convenient room 
within some part of the premises, all and every such way- 
faring person and persons as should be sent unto the said 
house by the mayor for the time being." 

In the matter of the Castle, Mr. Kirkpatrick has brought 
together whatever could be traced of its history: he de- 
scribes it as it existed in his time : he enters at length into 
the castle-guard services, particularly those due from the 
Abbeys of Ely, of Bury St. Edmund, and of St. Bennet 
in the Holm : he enumerates the franchises enjoyed in 
antient times by the inhabitants within the liberty of the 
castle, called the castle-fee ; and he concludes with a de- 
scription of the shire-house and ditches, and with a list of 



xiv 



PREFACE. 



the wardens and constables, commencing with the reign of 
Henry the third, and ending with that of James the first. 

From the foregoing brief abstract of the principal con- 
tents of this volume, it will be apparent that the author 
embraces a wide field, capable of yielding much of in- 
struction and interest to the historian and the antiquary, 
but not altogether attractive to the general reader. The 
latter, however, may not be displeased to be told, that he 
will every where meet with illustrations of antient usages 
and manners ; that by the catalogue of the library of an 
eminent monastery he may draw a comparison between 
both the quantity and quality of the books in such estab- 
lishments, and those in the residence of a gentleman of the 
present day ; that in the details of the care and expense 
bestowed upon the decorating of the outsides of the houses 
with tapestry on public occasions, he may trace the use of 
the irons that will often strike his eye in the front of old 
buildings ; and that from the literal version of the Letter of 
Confraternity, he may form an idea of the necessity of the 
Reformation ; the sale of these, whereby the friars parcelled 
out a portion of their own merits to the purchasers, being 
among their most effectual modes of raising money, while the 
demand for them was so great that they habitually carried 
them in their pockets, " ready cut and dried," except only 
as to the name of the future possessor. He will probably 
be surprised to find the little real reverence paid to the 
emblem of our salvation, when he reads, how, on one occa- 
sion, " a crucifix was riven to blocks, to help to heat the 
plumber's irons for mending the church roof:" he will 
meet with various allusions to the importance of the village 



PREFACE. 



XV 



of Ormesby, its four churches and royal hall, all passed 
" sub silentio " by Blomefield ; and, though last not least, 
he will acknowledge with pleasure the extensive assistance 
to be derived towards heraldic, and more particularly ge- 
nealogical, inquiries, by the lists of individuals who have 
been buried within the walls of the convents, or have made 
them the objects of their charity. 

For all this, and much more, it is to be hoped that 
thanks may be considered to be due to Mr. Kirkpatrick for 
his labor in the compilation ; and the editor would fain 
flatter himself that, in thus preparing it for the public, he 
has not undertaken a useless or unprofitable task. 

DAWSON TURNER. 

Yarmouth, Htk March, 1845. 



OF THE 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES 

AND 

RELIGIOUS ORDERS 
IN NORWICH. 



There were in England formerly (as now in Popish 
countries) several sorts of orders of persons called Religi- 
ons, because they pretended to be devoted to continence 
and the service of God, and to have separated themselves 
from all worldly pleasures and affairs. 

Isidore, in his second book de Ecclesiasticis Officiis, 
cap. 15, distributes the monks into six sorts, of which 
he commends three and explodes the rest : " among the 
former," saith he, " the first sort is of Coenobitce, who 
dwell in Monasteries, living in common after the manner 
of those at Jerusalem, who, at the times of the apostles, 
having sold all their possessions, gave all to the poor, 
and dwelt in the communion of a holy life ; whence 
monasteries had their original." 

The second sort is of Hermits, who, retiring far from 
men, are related to follow and inhabit desert places and 
desolate wildernesses, in imitation of Elias, John the 
Baptist, &c. 

B 



2 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



The third sort is of the Anchorites, who, being become 
perfect by a monastical conversation, shut themselves up 
in cells, far remote from the sight of men ; giving access to 
no man, but living only in divine contemplation. But 
these are chosen to this contemplation, after, upon exami- 
nation, they have been found approved in all the disciplines 
of a monastery for thirty years. 

And from this shutting up, the Anchorites are also 
called Recluses. ( Spelm. Gloss, sub verbo inclusus.) 

About the beginning of the thirteenth century, many 
new Orders of Religious sprang up, and speedily spread 
themselves throughout Europe : these were named Friars, 
because they called one another Fratres, or brethren, 
which, in French, is Freres, and thence came our English 
word Friars. 

I shall take notice of such of them only as came and 
settled in Norwich. And, first, of the four principal 
orders of Friars : namely, the Black Friars, the Grey 
Friars, the White Friars, and the Austin Friars. All 
these were styled Fratres mendicantes , or begging Friars, 
because they had no revenues, but went about the country 
and cities to beg. In the statute of 4 Henry iv., they are 
reckoned in this order : — namely, 1, Menours, or Grey 
Friars ; 2, Augustines ; S, Preachers, or Black Friars ; and 
4, Carmelites, or White Friars. 

THE BLACK FRIARS. 

John Bale relates that, a.d. 1204, or, as others say, 1197, 
the Dominicans, a bloody kind of Monks, now first sprang 
up, and that Dominick their founder, preached the cross 
against the Albigenses, (who were called Hereticks), and the 
Papists slew one hundred thousand of them, f Bale, Script. 
Cent. 3, 57 ; S, 67 ; et 4, 20.) Or, according to the Popish 



IN NORWICH. 



3 



account of the matter, a. d. 1203, St. Dominick, a Spaniard, 
with, twelve brethren, his companions, founded the Order 
of the Preachers or Black Friars ; which being divinely 
instituted, he also (says the story) received the holy habit 
from the glorious Mother of God. At the command of 
Pope Innocent the third, he conquered, (compescuit) with 
wonderful power and speed, the heresy lately arisen at 
Tholouse. At length, a. d. 1223, he died at Bononia, 
a city of Italy ; and afterwards Pope Gregory the ninth, 
having heard of his miracles, &c, added him to the number 
of holy confessors (that is, made a saint of him.) 

A.D. 1218. The Order of the Preachers, founded, as 
just stated, by St. Dominick, and instituted under the rule of 
St. Austin, as a new and most splendid sun among the thickest 
clouds of sinners, was this year, after many oppositions from 
bad men, at length confirmed by Pope Honorius the third, 
after a vision, in the first year of his popedom, in which he 
saw Dominick with a great multitude of Friars, in the 
Lateran church, all supporting it with their shoulders, 
as it seemed ready to fall. He therefore confirmed the 
said Order, and ordered it to hold the first place amongst 
the Mendicants. This Order, therefore, (proceeds the 
mendicant historian) flowing, as a most rapid river, from 
Austin, our father, truly a lucid fountain of paradise, 
we may most fitly compare to the river Tigris. For this 
Tigris, according to Josephus, is called Dilach, which 
signifies acute, because it is accounted the swiftest and 
most impetuous ; and so this Order is accounted always 
among the other Orders to be the most impetuous and 
boldest against hereticks, who are by all means to be 
extirpated, says my author, an Austin Friar, who calls him- 
self reverendissimus pater Jacobus Philippus Bergamensis, 
Ordinis Heremitarum, in his Supplementum Supplementi 
Cronicarum ab exordio mundi usque ad 1502, folio. 



4 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



But, in the famous Book of Lies, called the Aurea 
Legenda, or Golden Legends, compiled by James de V o- 
ragine, a Black Friar, printed at Lyons, a. d. 1514, (folios 
79, 80, and 81) we have the legend of this Dominick, 
which tells us that, when his mother was with child of 
him, she dreamed that she bore a whelp in her womb, 
who carried a burning torch in its mouth, and that, being 
come out, it set fire to the whole frame of the world. 
And that a certain matron, who was his godmother, thought 
she saw an exceedingly bright star in the forehead of this 
child, which made the whole world light. Being grown 
up to man's estate, he became a great preacher against 
hereticks. And once, on a certain time, he put his 
authorities against hereticks in writing, and gave the 
schedule of them to a certain heretick, that he might 
deliberate upon the things objected against them. The 
same night, the party being met at a fire, this man pro- 
duced the schedule which he had received ; whereupon 
his companions said they would have him cast it into the 
fire, and if it should happen to burn, then their faith (or 
perfidy rather) was true ; but if it could not be burnt, 
they would teach the true faith of the Roman church. 
Whereupon, the schedule is cast into the fire, which 
having lain there a little, it sprung presently out of the 
fire unburnt. All were amazed ; but one hardier than the 
rest says, " Cast it in again, and we shall be more fully 
satisfied of the truth." 'Tis cast in again, and again leaps 
out unburnt. Again he says, " cast it in the third time :" 
it was done, and again sprung out safe.* But the hereticks 
remained still in their hardness, and bound themselves 
by oath not to publish the matter ; but it seems one of 

them did. 

* This great Miracle was represented on the common Seal of our 
Black Friars of Norwich. (The Seal is engraved in Blomefield's History 
of Norfolk.) 



IN NORWICH. 



5 



Afterwards, they tell us that Dominick, being at 
Home in the church of St. Peter, as he was praying for the 
love of his Order, he saw the glorious princes of the 
apostles, Peter and Paul, coming towards him; whereof 
the first, namely, Peter, (to be sure) seemed to give him a 
staff, and Paul a book, saying, " Go, preach, because you 
are chosen by God to this ministry and, in a moment, 
he thought he saw his sons dispersed throughout the 
world, going by two and two. Also, that Dominick, being 
at prayer another night, saw Christ coming in the air with 
three lances to destroy the world ; but that his mother 
came, ran hastily to him, and asked him what he would 
do, and fell at his feet, and expostulated the matter, and 
at last told him that she had a servant that could subdue 
the world to him ; and that she would give him a second 
also, who should faithfully labor with him. Hereupon, 
Christ desiring to see these brave servants, she presented 
Dominick first, and then Francis. Christ approved them 
both ; and, next day, Dominick fell in with Francis the first 
time, whom he knew again very well to be the man he 
saw in the vision ; and their hearts were as one ever 
after, &c. Many other strange things are related ; as of his 
casting a devil out of a novice, down whose throat the fiend 
had cunningly slipped along with a little wine, which the 
poor fellow had happened to drink without first making 
the sign of the cross on the cup. How a certain man, 
purposing to enter into this Order, was first taken with a 
dangerous fever ; whereupon, Dominick praying to the 
Virgin Mary for him, the good lady came in person with 
two beautiful damsels to the sick man, anointed him, and 
brought him the habit of the Order. And that Dominick 
also saw this in a vision ; and going in the morning to 
visit the sick man, found him restored to health. And, the 



6 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



third day after, trie good lady came again and anointed 
him to so good a purpose, that not only the heat of the 
fever but the burning of concupiscence was so extinguished 
in him, that he had never the least motion of lust in him 
afterwards. But I cannot here recite all the miracles 
which they say he wrought ; such as raising the dead to 
life, forcing the devil to depart visibly out of people, his 
discourses with the devil, how Jesus and his mother drew 
him up to heaven on a white ladder after his decease, and 
of many miracles wrought by him after death. But these 
are so many and such palpable lies, that were it not to let 
Protestants see from what sort of a religion — a religion 
founded on lies and gross errors — they are delivered by 
their freedom from the Popish yoke, every wise man 
would with scorn pass them over as fooleries not worthy 
to blot paper with the mention of any of them. 

A. D. 1198, Innocent the third was made Pope, by 
whose favour, saith Matthew Paris, there arose in Italy a new 
kind of preachers, who would be called Jacobites, because 
they began to imitate the life of the Apostles in diet and 
garments. They were in a short time multiplied through- 
out the world, by reason of their spontaneous poverty: 
residing by tens and sevens in capital cities, they took no 
care for, nor reserved any thing till, the morrow. They 
came first into England a. d. 1121, as Leland has noted ; 
or A. d. 1124, according to Bale. 

A. D. 1226, these Friars Preachers came first to 
inhabit in Norwich. About a. d. 1253, came forth, on 
the part of the Friars Preachers, a book, intituled 
Evangelium JEternum, or the Eternal Gospel ; concerning 
which, in a book written against the said gospel by 
four Magistri, (Doctors of Paris) it is said, that some labour 
to change the gospel of Christ into another gospel, which 



IN NORWICH. 



7 



they say is more perfect, better, and of greater worth, 
and they call it the Eternal Gospel, or the Gospel of the 
Holy Ghost, which being come, (as they say) the gospel 
of Christ shall be made void. The scandals and hatreds 
between the Magistri just mentioned and the Friars 
Preachers increasing, some of the most famous Doctors 
were chosen to go to the Pope, for the tranquillity of the 
university of Paris and for restoring the faith. And the 
Preachers also sent presently their messengers thither 
against the university. But the Pope, having heard the 
complaints of both parties, commanded that the said new 
book, which they called the Eternal Gospel, should be 
secretly burnt.* 

A. D. 1259. The limits were settled between the 
Friars of Norwich and the Friars of Dunwich, whereby 
the Norwich Friars had all the county of Norfolk to beg 
in, &c, by the following instrument : 

" Mememomndum — That, in the year one thousand two 
hundred and fifty-nine, the fourth of the ides of January, 
the Friars of Norwich and of Dunwich met together at 
Herringfleet,in the house of the canons of St. Olave, (namely, 
such of them as were elected by their convents, ad limi- 
tandum ) to settle the limits between the aforesaid convents, 
whose names were these : — on the part of the convent of Nor- 
wich, Friar Robert de Hecham, Friar Robert de Bristune ; 
on the part of the convent of Dunwich, Friar Geffrey de 
Walsingham, Friar William of Saint Martin. Which said 
friars there treated about making the limitation ; but, 
whereas they could not come to an agreement, there was 
also present Friar William de Notingham, at that time 
the Lector (or Reader) of Norwich, upon whom the said 
limiters had unanimously pitched, that, to which part he 

* Usser, de Chrisfiawrum Ecclesiarxim successione et statu, p. 139-141. 



8 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



should consent, the same, (namely, their proposal) accord- 
ing to the Acts of the Chapter of Glocester, held in the 
year one thousand two hundred and fifty-seven, should 
stand in force. And when the said friar, William de 
Notingham, had diligently considered the reasons of each 
party, he gave his assent to the party of the Dunwich 
( elector es ) deputies : namely, that the ( aqua ) river 
which divides Norfolk from Suffolk should divide the 
limitation of the Norwich Friars from the limitation of 
the Dunwich Friars, as it hitherto hath divided. But that, 
nevertheless, the Friars of Dunwich should have the 
parishes of Mendham and of Ressewrde,* as well in Norfolk 
as in Suffolk, both in spirituals and temporals. In testi- 
mony of which thing, for perpetual memory, the prior and 
convent of Dunwich have caused this present writing to 
be confirmed by their conventual seal."f 

It seems therefore that at this time there were no 
other monasteries of the Friars Preachers in the diocese 
of Norwich but the two above mentioned. And it being 
their custom that limits should be settled in all places, 
determining how much of the country each monastery 
should have for its friars to preach in and beg in, &c, 
these travelling friars were hence called Limitours, as we 
see in Chaucer, in the Sompner's Tale. 

A. D., 1262. The Black Friars in England were 
employed in a notable service by Pope Urban the fourth, 
namely, to preach a crusade here for relief of the Holy 
Land, then newly overrun by the Tartars. I have seen 
in the Guildhall of Norwich, among the records belonging 
to the Black Friars, an exemplification which was under 
the seal of Friar Robert, the provincial Prior, of twelve 

* So in the original. I have no idea what parish is meant — Editor. 
f Ex Autogr. in Guildhall, Norvici, inter cartas Fratrum Prcedicatorum. 



IN NORWICH. 



9 



bulls of the said Pope, directed to the Prior Provincial of 
the Friars Preachers in England, concerning this business, 
which is dated at Oxford on Sexagesima Sunday, a.d. 1262; 
but the seal is lost, and the instrument much impaired by 
wet. It may not be amiss to insert here an abstract of 
the said bulls, to show the subtle arts then practised for 
picking the people's money out of their pockets : — In the 
first bull, which is dated the fourteenth of the kalends of 
May, the Pope, having set forth the miserable state of the 
Holy Land, requires the said Prior, by the Friars of his order, 
diligently to represent the same to the people of England 
and Scotland, and to press them to take upon them the 
sign of the cross, and hasten to the relief of the said land ; 
granting to all such persons, and to those who should assist 
with their p"urses, all that pardon of their sins, privilege, 
and immunity, which in a general council was granted to 
such as should go to the Holy Land for its defence. 
Granting also to the said Prior and his Friars authority to 
assemble the clergy and people of the places where they 
should preach this matter, who were to come processionally 
to such preachments. And also a power of granting forty 
or a hundred days of pardon to those people who came 
to them. 

Four other bulls are dated on the ides of May. By 
one of these, the Pope granted them power to collect 
money for the said purpose, notwithstanding the in- 
dulgence, whereby it had been formerly granted to the 
said Friars that they should not collect any money, nor in 
any manner meddle with it. 

By another, he authorized them to absolve all persons 
who had taken, or should take, the sign of the cross on 
them, from their vows, if, by infirmity or debility of body, 
they were unable to fight or take the voyage to the Holy 



10 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Land ; willing them nevertheless to deposit the money 
received for the redemption of such vows in some safe 
place, &c. 

Another, empowering them to compel, by ecclesi- 
astical censure, all such persons as had and detained any 
legacies which were given for the aid of the said land, to 
pay the said legacies to the Prior Provincial, who was to 
deposit them in some safe place under testimony, and to 
give the Pope a true account of what, how much, and of 
whom collected. 

By the fourth, the Pope grants to all and singular 
persons labouring about this business, all that pardon of 
their sins, privilege, and immunity which were granted 
to those who should succour the Holy Land. 

By another bull, dated the twelfth of the kalends of 
June, the Pope takes all those, who had or should take 
upon them the cross for aid of the Holy Land, under the 
protection of himself and his apostolical see ; requiring the 
said Prior not to suffer them to be molested by any 
persons, but to restrain all such molesters by ecclesiastical 
censure, without allowing any appeal. 

And, by another of the same date, the Pope grants 
to the said Friars a power of absolving, pro hue vice, 
according to the form of the church, all those who, for 
laying violent hands on religious persons, and for burning 
of churches and other religious places, &c, were under 
the sentence of excommunication ; so that they satisfied 
the persons injured for the damages. And of dispensing 
with clerks, secular and regular, as to their irregularity, 
who, having been unmindful of the sentences or ignorant 
of the law, had f se immiscuere di vim's J joined in divine 
service with such persons as were under said sentences. 
Provided they paid for the aid of the Holy Land so much 



IN NORWICH. 



11 



as they must have expended in going to the Apostolical 
See, in tarrying there, and in returning home again. By 
another bull, dated the tenth of the kalends of June, he 
granted power to the said Friars, that, to all persons truly 
penitent and confessed, who of their goods should contribute 
for the aid of the Holy Land, competently, according to 
the Friars' discretion, they should give the indulgence 
which had been granted in a general council to those who 
succoured the said land. 

By another, dated June, the said Pope com- 
manded the Friars to warn and induce all the earls, 
dukes, barons, and all others of the clergy and laity of 
England, who had formerly taken, or should take on them, 
the sign of the cross for the aid of the Holy Land, to get 
themselves ready, so that, upon his next mandate, they 
should go personally for the aid of the said land. 

By another bull, of the third of the kalends of June, the 
Pope, willing that all those who were or should be signed 
with the cross in England for the aid of the Holy Land, 
should enjoy the privileges granted them by the Apostolical 
See, commanded that none of them, although required by 
letters of the said See, should be sued in any court out of 
the diocese where they and their goods were. Except 
such letters, to be obtained for future, should make full 
mention of these presents ; but that they should exhibit 
justice to the complainants before their own ordinary. 

Another bull, of the kalends of June, requires the 
said Friars to collect all monies for the redemption of the 
vows of those who had taken the sign of the cross on them, 
and were absolved by those deputed for it by the Apos- 
tolical See ; also, all legacies and other monies, in any 
manner arising in England towards the said aid ; and to 
lay it up in some safe place under testimony, and write 
the Pope an account of it. And gives them a power to 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



compel all contradicters by ecclesiastical censure,, without 
appeal. And, lastly, by a bull of the tenth of the kalends 
of July, the said Pope granted to these Friars a power of 
transmuting all vows of pilgrimages and other such like 
vows, of those who should take the sign of the cross upon 
them for the aid of the said land, (the vow of religion and 
chastity only excepted) into such vow of the cross. 

Note. — All the bulls before mentioned are dated at 
Viterbium, in the first year of the Pontificate of the said 
Pope, Urban, which was in the year 1262 ; and most of 
them with one non obstante or more, namely : — Notwith- 
standing it has been indulged to any persons by the 
aforesaid See, that they might not be interdicted, sus- 
pended, or excommunicated by letters apostolical, not 
making full and express mention of an indulgence for 
this very purpose, f De Indidto hujus modi.] And the 
constitution de duabus dietis in the general council, — that 
was, as I take it, Ne aliquis idtra duas dietas extra suam 
Civitatem et Diocesin ad judicium trahatur. And also, the 
indulgence of the same See, whereby it is said to be 
granted to the friars of your order, that of causes which, 
by apostolical letters, are committed to them, they shall 
not be bound to take cognizance, unless they make 
express mention of the said indulgence. — ( De Indulto 
hujus modi. J 

So that, we see no grant or indulgence procured from 
the papal See, though with great expense, was of any force 
longer than the Pope pleased ; for he could easily make 
them void in a new bull, when it served his purpose, 
(that is, his profit,) with a new non obstante to any former 
privilege.* 

* See Matthew Paris about these matters : he (though a monk) fully 
lays open the extortions practised in these times here by the papal 
emissaries, and is very sharp against the boundless avarice of that See. 



IN NORWICH. 



13 



The following extracts of bulls and privileges granted 
by several Popes to the said Order of Friars, are taken from 
old transcripts on paper, in the Guildhall, with this title : — 
These he copyse of our Privileggis with us under Leede ; 
(that is, under the Pope's leaden seals.) 

Pope Boniface (the eighth, I suppose) confirmed to 
the Friars Preachers the privilege of being wholly exempt 
from the jurisdiction of the prelates, which had been 
granted them by former Popes, his predecessors, and all 
other their liberties and immunities. Exempting clearly 
them and their order from all manner of jurisdiction and 
power of the prelates and ecclesiastical persons, and de- 
claring them to be subject immediately to the Apostolical 
See and Roman Pontiff only. And, in like manner, their 
churches, oratories, houses, and places, which they hold, 
inhabit, or shall for future hold or inhabit. 

By a bull, dated at Home, at St. Peter's, the sixth of 
the ides of May, in the second year of his Pontificate, 
Pope Boniface the ninth, according to the examples of 
Nicholas the fourth, and Benedict the eleventh, and other 
his predecessors, wholly exempted and made free the said 
order, and master, and priors, and friars ; also, the sisters, 
and their houses, monasteries, places, and hospitals, what- 
soever, under the care of the said friars and the governors 
of them, from all dominion, subjection, and power of any 
ordinaries,* prelates, and ecclesiastical persons ; and also 



* There is also a clause of Pope Sixtus, confirming the grants of 
Pope Martin and Pope Gregory the eleventh, for exempting the said Friars 
from payment of tithes of those called papales. Pope Martin the fifth 
confirmed this bull of privileges by his bull, dated at Florence, on the ides 
of July, in the third year of his Pontificate ; as did Pope Eugenius the 
fourth, by his bull, dated at Florence, in the year 1443, on the ides of 
April, in the tenth year of his Pontificate. 



14 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



from the payment of ( cujuscunque pedagii, aut alterius 
generis exactionis J any tax, custom, or other exaction, and 
took them into the right and property of St. Peter 
and the Apostolical See, and under their immediate protec- 
tion, &c. And granted that, for the future, on any account, 
they should pay no tithe, or other portion, or yearly rents, 
(censwn), or procuration, nor any aid to the legates or 
nuncios of the said see, or ordinaries of the places, or to any 
other persons, nor any fpedagia) taxes, or tolls, or other 
exactions, to any kings or other persons, ecclesiastical or 
secular. Although any person shordd have bulls to demand 
such payments of all places and monasteries, exempt and 
not exempt ; unless, perchance, the said bulls should make 
full and express mention of the said order, and of these 
presents, word by word; and also of the monasteries, 
places, and houses, and of the governors of them, &c,; 
the constitutions of Pope Innocent the fourth, and other 
constitutions apostolical, the imperial laws, statutes and 
customs, &c, to the contrary notwithstanding. And all 
sentences of excommunication, suspension, interdict, &c, 
against the said friars, and against the tenor of these 
presents, are decreed to be void, &c. 

The houses of friars and other monasteries served fre- 
quently for places of refuge to shelter felons from the power 
of the law ; an instance of which, in the year 1565, concern- 
ing our Black Friars, &c, take from the following petition: 
— " To our Lord the King and to his Council, his liege 
men, the citizens of his city of Norwich, (represent), that, 
whereas it was presented before Mr. Henry Grene, and 
his associate justices of the King's Bench at Norwich, 
( en estre dreyn passe J in Easter last past, that three 
prisoners, who were indicted of diverse felonies, and 



IN NORWICH. 



15 



imprisoned in the king's prison in the castle of Norwich, 
had broke the said prison, and escaped unto the friars 
preachers, in the said city, for which Mr. Thomas Seintomer, 
then sheriff of Norfolk, who had the custody (garde) ward 
of the said gaol, was punished for the said escapes. And, 
nevertheless, the said bailliffs and men of the said city 
were challenged and impeached by the said justices, con- 
cerning the custody (garde ) of the said prisoners ; and 
the said men of the said city, do say, that they never had 
the custody of any of the said prisoners, being in the said 
friars, nor were charged to their custody by no minister 
of the king ; nor have they, nor their ancestors, in such 
case, been ever charged nor impeached concerning such 
custody ; but that the sheriffs for the time being, when 
such escapes of prisoners out of the castle unto the friars 
in the said city have happened, the said sheriffs have some- 
times (freschement suy) quickly followed the said prisoners, 
and set ward ( garde) and watch ( veille) upon them, accord- 
ing to their power, and fd-la-fortz) sometimes have 
re-taken some of the prisoners ; and thus did the said 
Mr. Thomas, and before him, Mr. Johan de Ratlesdene, 
in his time, &c. And, hereupon, search being made in 
the rolls, concerning the exaction of the said debt, it was 
found in the great roll of the thirty-eighth year of king 
Edward the third, in Norfolk and Suffolk, that fifteen 
pounds were required of the city of Norwich for the 
escape of three felons. And now, in the octaves of St. John 
the Baptist, at the prosecution of the citizens, William de 
St. Omer and Thomas Waxman, executors of the testament 
of the aforesaid Thomas de St. Omer ; William de Hoo, 
knight, and Alice, his wife, one of the daughters and 
heirs of the said Thomas de St. Omer ; and Elizabeth de 
St. Omer, another of his daughters and heirs ; and Thomas 



16 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &e. 



ed Brokedisshe, who holds a part of the lands and tene- 
ments which were of the said Thomas de St. Omer, were 
attached to be here, to answer to our Lord the King, 
in discharge of the aforesaid debt of the above-mentioned 
fifteen pounds, &c." 

Note. — That, after several adjournments of the 
matter, at last the jury found for the city ; and the exe- 
cutors of the said late sheriff were charged with the fifteen 
pounds, and a writ was directed to the sheriffs of Norfolk, 
signifying so much. — Dated the twenty-fifth of October, in 
the fiftieth year of the said king* 

In the year 1874, the friars preachers petitioned for 
and obtained from the Pope, a dispensation for eating of 
flesh, lest, as they said, they should be burthensonie to 
secular persons.f 

That these friars were not in general beloved here in 
old time, appears from this instance, viz. — That amongst 
the ancient copies of charters and bulls of the Black Friars, 
there is one of a charter of king Richard the second, 
directed to all sheriffs, mayors, baillives, &c, wherein he 
sets forth, that, being informed how some persons of his 
kingdom, by instigation of the devil, &c, through malice, 
daily were endeavouring to grieve, damnify, and scan- 
dalize the four orders of mendicants, especially the friars 
preachers and minors, making sinister and ill interpretations 
of their privileges, and stirring up the people against 
them, to destroy the houses of the said friars; and that 
they sometimes tore in pieces their habits on their backs, 
and sometimes beat them, and ill treated them, &c. &c, 
therefore the said king commanded that the Mars 



* Introit. Curium, lib. u, f. 13. 
f Leland Coll., vol. I., fo.3S2. Ex paralipomen. ab auctore Euhgii. 



IN NORWICH. 



17 



should be maintained in their privileges, and be amicably 
treated, as was due to religious men; and that, if any 
persons were found to do violence against them, &c, such 
malefactors should be punished according to law. 

And that their house and privileges should be pro- 
tected ; and that the said sheriff, &c, should not do, nor 
suffer to be done, any injury or grievance to any of them ; 
and, if any such thing were done, that they should, with- 
out delay, correct and duly reform it.* 

OF THE MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES OF THE 
SAID FRIARS PREACHERS. 

I mention the plural number, because these friars 
had first a church and monastery on the other side of the 
water ; and, afterwards, they removed themselves to this 
side of the water, where they built another and larger 
church and monastery. 

OF THEIR FIRST HOUSE AND CHURCH. 

Their first site was on the north side of the street, 
formerly called Colegate, now the Black Boys' street, in 
the parishes of St. George and St. Clement ; near the south- 
west corner of which was anciently a parish church, called 
the church of St. John the Baptist over the water. This 
church the said friars obtained for themselves, (they were 
possessed of it about the year 1250,) and acquired the 
messuages and grounds adjoining, and there made their 
domicilium or monastery ; and got by degrees the whole 
large checker, (saving the house at the south-east corner, 
which belonged to the monastery of St. Faith's, and the 
church and church-yard of St. Mary the Brent, at the 

* Transcript, in Guildhall, inter Cart. Fratrum Predicat. 

C 



18 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



north-east corner) namely, all the ground lying between 
the said Black Boys' street south, and Golden Dog lane 
north, Magdalen street east, and Doughtie's Hospital street 
west, whereof they purchased latest the messuages which 
lay next Magdalen street, namely, in the thirteenth, 
eighteenth, and twenty-eighth year of king Edward the 
first, after the statute of mortmain, and, as far as I can 
find, without the king's license ; saving for one messuage 
which they purchased of John de Acle, clerk. Also, they 
purchased a lane at the south side of Black Boys' street, 
that they might have passage from their monastery to 
the river. 

But, in the year 1307, they obtained the houses of the 
friars de penitentid, on this side the water, to which they 
removed : hence this was called the Olde Freres Yerd. 
Afterwards, the friars being questioned about their old 
monastery, and charged with having purchased it after 
the statute of Mortmain, procured the following inqui- 
sition to be made and exemplified under the king's seal, 
to justify themselves. "Richard, by the grace of God, 
king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, to all 
to whom these present letters shall come, greeting. "We 
have inspected a certain inquisition, by our command 
made before William Berard, our escheator in the county 
of Norfolk, Henry Skye, one of the bailiffs of our city of 
Norwich, and Bartholomew Appelyerd, citizen of Norwich, 
and returned into our chancery in these words: — ' An 
inquisition, taken at Norwich, in the county of Norfolk, 
before William Berard, escheator of (our) lord the king in 
the said county, Bartholomew Appelyard, citizen of Norwich, 
and Henry Skye, one of the baiUifTs of the city of Norwich, 
on the Friday next after the Feast of St. Michael the 
Archangel, in the fourth year of the reign of king Richard 



IN NORWICH. 



19 



the second after the conquest, by virtue of a certain writ of 
(our) lord trie king to the same escheator, Bartholomew and 
the bailliff, directed and sworn to this inquisition by the oath 
of John de Welles, Roger Parker, Nicholas de Eggefeld, 
John de Beccles, John de Haughele, Thomas Markaunt, 
John Palmer e, William de Lyng, Bartholomew Busshop, 
Walter de Lakynghithe, Roberte atte Dam, and John Bet- 
teson, jurors ; who say upon their oath, that the Prior and 
Friars of the order of the Friars Preachers of Norwich have 
not purchased to themselves or to their successors, after the 
publication of the statute made against putting lands and 
tenements to mortmain, one gardine, or certain place of 
land, now called the Olde Freres Yerde, with its appurte- 
nances, in the city aforesaid, situated near the street called 
Colegate, on the part of the south, together with a certain 
passage or lane there mentioned in the writ, which extends 
itself from the said garden or place towards the house of 
the same friars unto the river, in the city aforesaid ; 
namely, between the tenements of William Gerard and 
Simon de Almaigne. But they say that one Thomas de Gel- 
ham, chivaler, (or knight), Maud, Imena, and Christiana, 
daughters of Hermen de Totyngton, and other persons 
unknown, have given and granted to the Prior and Friars 
Preachers of the aforesaid city the said garden or place of 
land aforesaid, before the statute for not putting of lands 
and tenements to mortmain was made ; namely, on the 
Tuesday next after Palm Sunday, in the thirty-eighth year 
of the reign of king Henry, the son of king John, to have 
and to hold to the same prior and friars in pure and 
perpetual alms for ever. And they say, that one Richard 
de Norwich, chivaler, gave, and by his charter granted, to 
the said prior and friars the above-said passage, in the 
city aforesaid ; which extends itself from the above-said 

c ft 



20 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



place towards the house of the same friars unto the river 
in the city aforesaid, before the said statute was published ; 
namely, in the fortieth year of the reign of the above-said 
king Henry, to have and to hold to the same prior and 
friars for ever, in pure and perpetual alms. In testimony 
whereof, to this inquisition the above-said jurors have put 
to their seals. Dated the year, day, and place aforesaid.' 

" We, therefore, at the request of Friar Robert de 
Fretone, now prior of the house of the order of the friars 
preachers, in the city aforesaid, have thought fit to ex- 
emplify the tenor of the said inquisition by these presents. 
In testimony of which thing, we have caused these our 
letters patent to be made. Witness myself, at Westminster, 
the twenty-first day of November, in the fourth year of 
our reign."* 

But it is to be noted that these inquisitions, concerning 
things done long before they were taken, are not to be 
depended on for a true account of those things ; for, 
although a part of the said Old Friars' ground might have 
been granted them in the thirty-eighth year of king Henry 
the third, as in the above inquisition is set forth, which 
I cannot contradict, not having seen the deeds of grant 
of the first parcels of ground which they had here, yet 
it is certain that the whole was not ; for a great part was 
not granted till some years after the statute of mortmain 
was made, as before hinted, and as I shall fully show 
when I come to the survey of Fibriggate or Magdalen 
street. And also, as to the lane above mentioned, or 
passage to the river, which by the inquisition is affirmed 
to have been granted to the friars in the fortieth year of 
king Henry the third, I find, by the original deeds still 



* Autograph, in Guildhall, Norwich. 



IN NORWICH. 



21 



remaining in the Guildhall, that Richard de Norwich 
granted to the friars a messuage, abutting on the street 
north and the river south, in the time of Walter de 
Scheffangel, custos of Norwich, which was not till the 
first year of king Edward the first, in the year 1273 : this 
was, that they might have a passage to the river. But 
further note, that the said friars afterwards exchanged 
this away with Roger de Penteney, in the year 1290, after 
the statute of mortmain, for a part of a messuage which lay 
more eastward, which latter was the (transitus) passage 
or lane which the friars had possession of when the 
inquisition above mentioned was taken. 

And yet the friars made the jury of the inquisition 
believe that this latter was the same which Richard de 
Norwich gave them, (which it was not,) and that he gave 
it them in the fortieth year of king Henry the third, 
whereas his grant of the first was not till the first year 
of king Edward the first, as aforesaid. 

OF THE SECOND HOUSE AND CHURCH OF THE SAID 
FRIARS' PREACHERS. 

A. D. 1307, the order of the Friars de Penitentia 
being suppressed by authority of the Pope, the king, this 
year, granted their monastery in this city to the Black 
Friars, by the following charter : — " Edward, by the grace 
of God, king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of 
Aquitaine, to all to whom these present letters shall 

* 38 Henry vm — Gret parte of the wall on the north side of the 
gret gardeyn fell down. Comp. Carrier — This wall was built of exceedingly 
large bricks ; more than twice as large as those now commonly used. 
Great part of it remains still ; and some such bricks are to be found in the 
ruins of the old wall, which encompassed the top of the Castle- Hill, and 
in some old houses in the city. 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



come, greeting : "Whereas, we have been informed by the 
inquisition, which we have caused to be made by our 
bailliffs of Norwich, that, without doing injury or preju- 
dice to any person, we may give and grant to our beloved 
in Christ, the Prior and Friars of the Order of Preachers, 
dwelling in the said city, that place which the Friars of 
the Order of the Repentance (or Penance) of Jesus Christ, 
in the same city, were used to inhabit, to have and to 
hold to the same prior and friars to inhabit, and dwell 
there for ever. Saving only, that it might be prejudicial to 
one friar, William de Hoo, of the said Order of Penance, 
who yet holds and inhabits the said place, and is so broken 
with age, that he is unable to help himself. And that the 
same place is held of us in ccqrite, by the service of one 
penny and one halfpenny, to be yearly paid to the farm 
of the said city. We, forasmuch as this place is more 
commodious to dwell in than the place in which the said 
Prior and Friars of the Order of Preachers now inhabit, 
as we have been informed ; and being willing to do the 
same prior and friars a special favour, and to provide for 
the state of the same friar, William, have given and 
granted for us, and our heirs, as much as in us lies, to the 
same Prior and Friars of the Order of Preachers, the 
aforesaid place ; to have and to hold to them, and their 
successors, of us and our heirs, by the services thence 
due and accustomed ; to inhabit and dwell there for ever, 
as aforesaid, as entirely freely and quietly as the said 
Friars of Penance have before held the same place, without 
(occasione) the questioning or hinderance of us, or our 
heirs, or of any of our justices, escheators, sheriffs, or 
other our bailliffs or ministers whatsoever. So, neverthe- 
less, that the same prior and friars shall find (or provide) 
a reasonable maintenance for the said friar, William de Hoo, 



IN NORWICH. 



23 



during his whole life, as is fitting for his state. In testi- 
mony of which thing, we have caused these our letters 
patent to be made. Witness myself, at Westminster, the 
twenty-eighth day of October, in the first year of our 
reign."* 

But, forasmuch as nothing in those days was sup- 
posed to stand in force, without bestowing a sum of money 
at the Pope's court for a confirmation, therefore the Friars 
procured the following instrument for that purpose : — 
(" Frater) Friar, Brother (or monk) Thomas, by the divine 
compassion, Cardinal, priest of the title of Saint Sabina, 
to our beloved in Christ, the Prior and Convent of the 
Friars Preachers of Norwich, greeting, in the Lord. Our 
most holy Father and Lord, the lord Clement the fifth, 
by the Divine Providence, Pope, hath lately committed 
to us, by the oracle of his living voice, a full power of 
disposing or ordaining, by the apostolical authority, of the 
church and place which some time belonged to the Friars 
of the late Order of the Saccites of Norwich, and of con- 
ferring or granting them, as to us should seem expedient. 
We, therefore, — observing that the same church and place, 
which are near you on the other side, would be very 
much for your convenience, and being willing, therefore, 
to grant you a gracious commission for that purpose, — the 
above-said church and place, with all their rights and ap- 
purtenances, do confer and grant to you, and to your Order, 
by the authority aforesaid, according to the tenor of these 
presents, and do perpetually appropriate the same to 
you ; willing that, henceforth, you may freely take and 
obtain and keep the tenure and possession of them, and 
in the same to build, and absolutely to apply them to your 



* Pat. 1, E. % ps. pma. Autograph, in Guildhall. 



- # 

24 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

uses and conveniences, as and when you shall please. 
In testimony of which thing, we have commanded the 
present letters to be made, and to be confirmed by the 
appension of our seal. Given at Avignon, in the year 
from the nativity of our Lord, 1310; indiction the eighth; 
on the ninth day of J une, in the fifth year of the Pontificate 
of the aforesaid Lord Pope." * 

This grant was afterwards confirmed to them by Pope 
John, who also granted them licence to retain the church 
and place, or ground of their old mansion, any consti- 
tutions to the contrary notwithstanding, &c, by his bull, 
dated at Avignon, on the kalends of May, in the first 
year of his Pontificate. f 

The year before this, viz., a. d. 1309, the said friars 
obtained of king Edward the second, a licence of mortmain 
for enlarging their new-acquired place ; whereby he granted 
to his beloved in Christ, the Prior and Friars of the Order 
of Preachers in Norwich, that they might purchase of 
"William But a place of land there, containing sixty-four 
feet in length, and fifty-seven and a half feet in breadth ; 
and another place, containing eighty-six feet in length, and 
seventy-four feet in breadth, for enlarging their mansion.* 

And the next year, viz., a.d. 1310, by another charter, 
he granted them that they might acquire five hundred 
feet of land in length, and four hundred feet of land in 
breadth, to them convenient, in his city of Norwich, con- 
tiguous to the mansion of the same prior and friars there, 
either at once, or by parcels, as and when they may most 
conveniently purchase them of any persons ; to have and 
to hold to them and to their successors for ever, for 

* Autograph, in Guildhall, 
f Ex Transcript. Antiq. Chortaceo, in Guildhall, inter Chart. Fratr. Pred. 
\ Pat. 3 Edward H., m. 9. 



IN NORWICH. 



25 



building their church and edifices, and also for enlarging 
their churchyard and (clausum) precinct ; the statute for 
not putting lands to mortmain notwithstanding.* 

But, a. d. 1332, a complaint being made to king 
Edward the third by the citizens, that the aforesaid prior 
and friars had acquired diverse lands and tenements in the 
said city, by virtue of his father's grant above mentioned, 
without having it found by inquisition, thereupon taken 
and returned into Chancery, that the same might be done 
without prejudice of the king or others, as the law re- 
quired ; and that they continued still to acquire more, to 
the prejudice of the king, and to the no small expence 
of the citizens, and manifest detriment of the said city: 
the king, therefore, directed his writ to William Trussel, 
his escheator on this side Trent, whereby, being willing 
to provide against such prejudices and damages, and to 
apply a remedy in the premises as was fitting, he com- 
manded him that, for the future, he should by no means 
permit the same prior and friars to enter into, or hold any 
lands or tenements in the aforesaid city, without inquisi- 
tions to be thereupon taken and returned into his Chancery, 
and without his licence to be thereupon obtained. And 
that, if from thenceforth they had acquired in other 
manner, and entered upon any, that then he should, 
without delay, take them into the king's hand, and answer 
the issues of them at the Exchequer. The writ was dated 
at Waltham Holy Cross, the ninth day of February, in the 
sixth year of his reign.f 

I find no more of this matter till a. d. 1345, when all 
the new acquisitions which the friars had made, were 
confirmed to them by the following charter of king 



* Pat. 4 Edward n., m. 25. f Per Consilium. Doomsd., f. 4. 



26 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Edward the third, viz. — " Edward, by the grace of God, 
king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, to all to 
whom these present letters shall come, greeting. Know 
ye that, whereas the lord, king Edward, our father, hath 
granted," &c, reciting his above-mentioned grant for the 
five hundred feet of land in length, and four hundred in 
breadth. Then follows — " And the same prior and friars, 
by virtue of the grant and licence aforesaid, have acquired 
in fee, to themselves and successors, — 



A certain lane in Norwich, of the com- x 
monalty of the town of Norwich, 
containing 



FEET OF LAND 
in length in breadth 



Of Robert le Fevre 


40 .. 


. 24 


Of Thomas de Bo ton 


131 .. 


. 34 


Of Silvestre Sparwe 


131 . 


. 60 


Of William But 


93 .. 


. 44 


Of Andrew de Dallyng 


60 . 


. 22 


Of John de Hengham 


35 . 


. 33 


Of Adam de Blyklyng 


32 . 


. 20 


One Cottage of Juliana, daughter of 1 






Adam Beneyt J 


30 . 


. 20 


Of John But 


40 . 


. 30 


Of Sarah, who was the wife of Ralph N 






le Fysshemongher, Alexander de 






Sparham, and Richard de Heyles- 


> 125 . 


.. 30 


don, Executors of the Testament 






of the said Ralph > 







169 



12 



being all contiguous to the mansion of the same prior and 
friars, and have entered into them before inquisitions 
were thereupon made in due form, and returned into the 
chancery of us or of our said father, which said lane is 
held of us in capite, as in burgage ; and the places and 
cottage aforesaid are not held of us. And as well the said 



IN NORWICH. 



lane as the said places and cottage aforesaid contain two 
hundred and forty-eight feet of land in lengthy and one 
hundred and forty-six feet of land in breadth ; as by the 
inquisition thereupon by our beloved and faithful John 
Howard, our escheator in the county of Norfolk, at our 
command made and returned into our chancery, is found. 

" We, willing that the aforesaid grant of our father 
should take due effect, do pardon to the same prior and 
friars the transgression in this matter committed, and have 
granted and given licence for us and our heirs, as much 
as in us lies, to the same prior and friars, that they may 
retain the aforesaid lane, cottage, and places, and have 
them to them and their successors aforesaid for ever, in 
part of satisfaction of the aforesaid five hundred feet of 
land in length and four hundred in breadth, as aforesaid ; 
the aforesaid statute notwithstanding. Not being willing 
that the aforesaid prior and friars, or their successors, or 
the said commonalty, or their successors, or the before-men- 
tioned Robert, Thomas, Silvester, &c, or their heirs, by 
reason of the premises, or of the statute aforesaid, should 
by us, or our heirs, the justices, escheator, sheriffs, or 
any other our bailliffs or ministers, be in any manner 
questioned, molested, or grieved ; saving, nevertheless, to 
us, and to the other capital lords of the fees, the services 
thence due and accustomed. In testimony of which thing, 
we have caused these our letters patent to be made. 
Witness myself at the Tower of London, the thirteenth day 
of June, in the nineteenth year of our reign of England, 
but of our reign of France, the sixth." * 

So that, by these acquisitions, the friars, — as they had 
done on the other side of the water, — got the whole chequer 



* Per breve de privato Sigillo. Autograph, in Guildhall. 



28 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



of ground into their hands, which abuts on the river 
north, on the street leading from St. Andrew's church 
to Tombland south, on the street leading from the said 
church to Black- Friars' bridge west, and on the street 
which leads from the street first mentioned past the west 
end of St. Peter's of Hungate church, and on the houses 
next the river east. In this large ground they built their 
church in the midst, from one side of the ground to the 
other ; and, oil the north side of that, their cloisters ; and, 
next the river-side, their malt-house and brew-house. The 
ground on the south side of their church they kept void, 
to serve for a large preaching-yard. The church is extra- 
ordinarily large— -large enough for the use of ten such 
monasteries ; but the grand reason of that custom of 
spacious churches for the friars was, that they might have 
commodious room, to inter in them great numbers of 
gentry, and other rich persons, who, being persuaded that 
the having sepulture in these churches tended much to 
the advantage of their souls after death, usually gave large 
sums of money to the friars for this favour. 

A.D. 1413 or 1414, the first year of king Henry the 
fifth, a fire broke out in Norwich, which laid in ashes a great 
part of the city, and the convent of the Friars Preachers ; 
and two of the friars perished in the flames. This happened 
on the fourth day of May.* 

There seems to have been another fire after this, 
wherein this house suffered much.f Or else they now got a 
patent, on account of fire aforesaid. After which fire, the 

* Stow's Hist, and Lib. P. L. N. N. ex Walsingham Hist., p. 385. 

f Vide Pat. 27 Hen. vi., p. 1, m. xvn., vel. xviii., de domo Fratrum 
Prcedicatorum Norvici, per subitum ignis infortunium miserabiliter combusto. 
Coll. D. Tanner Cane. 



IN NORWICH. 



29 



church was rebuilt in a more magnificent manner than before, 
with upper rows of windows on each side of the body of 
the church, to which Sir Thomas de Erpyngham was a good 
benefactor, as appears from his arms, which are cut in the 
stone-work between every two of the said upper windows 
on the south side. And the steeple was also rebuilt in a 
very curious and beautiful manner, on which, the arms of 
Sir Simon Felbrygg, which were often to be found on it, 
showed him a special benefactor to that work. 

AN ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL PERSONS WHO WERE BURIED IN 
THIS CHURCH, EXTRACTED FROM THE REGISTERS OF 
THEIR WILLS, WHICH ARE OF THE FOLLOWING DATES : 

A. D. 

1372, John Banham, of Langhale. 

1382, William Shattok, Rector of the church of Hackford 

All-Saints, near Refham. 
1394, Thomas Hillde, Vicar of the church of Bawburgh. 
1397, Andrew, Chaplain of Cryngleford. 
1403, Walter de Bixtone, merchant and citizen of Norwich, 

in the quire, near the body of Elena, late his wife. 
1439, John Parlet, Priest ; Robert Corrioll, of Norwich, late 

of Southelmham ; and Sibilla, relict of John Payn, 

near the bodies of her father and mother. 
(about the same time) John Tylly, Rector of the 

church of St. Botolph, in Norwich. He gave to their 

Convent, ten marks ; and to every other Order of 

Friars, forty shillings.* 

1443, Simon Thurton, who gave forty-three shillings and 

four-pence. 

1444, Robert Norwich, Senior, of North Tudenham. 
1446, Cecily Caryoll. 

* Register Doke, f. 213. 



30 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1448, William Mayes, of Norwich, willed to be buried in 
the regular church, of the Friars Preachers, of 
Norwich; and gave eight-pence to the high altar 
of the parish church of St. George, Muspool * 

1451, Thomas Ingham, the younger, citezeyn and mar- 

chaunt, of Norwych. — " I will my body to be 
beryed in the chyrche of the Frer Prechowrys, 
in Norwich, on the oon syde of the place in the 
seyd chyrche, where as my Fadyr chesyth his 
sepultur."f 

1452, Edmund Segeford, citizen and mercer, of Norwich, 

late dwelling in Salle, willed his body to be buried 
in the church of the Friars Preachers, in Norwich, 
in the north part of the same church, within the 
perclose there, before the altar, which is near the 
window glazed with the History of the Psalm, 
Magnificat. " Item. — I will have one Friar, a 
Priest of the said house, with the licence of the 
Prior of the said Convent, to celebrate at the said 
altar for my soul, and for the souls of all for whom 
I am bound, for ten years next after my death. 
Item. — I bequeath to the said Friar for his salary, 
every year, five marks. Item. — I bequeath to the 
said Convent, to the making and working of the 
tables with the Valaunces, or Selewrys, of the 
same, upon the altar of the said church, for the 
future, to be there made and fixed, twenty pounds. 
Item. — I will have one marble stone, to be placed on 
my grave, with this clause, wrote in the Latone : 
— ' Orate pro anima Edmundi Segeford, fyc. 9 
Item. — To Heilewisia, my wife, one hundred 



Reg. Aleyn, f. 15. f R. Aleyn, f. 173. 



IN NORWICH. 31 

A. D. 

pounds, certain tenements, &c. Item. — All my 
lands and tenements, in Hacford, Whytwell, 
Wychyngham St. Mary, Higham, &c., to be sold."* 
1458, William Stubbe, of Skothowe ; and gave to the 
convent, to the repair of the roofs of their houses, 
namely, (Hospicij et Firmarie) the hall and in- 
firmary, ten marks. Item. — To a Friar of the 
same convent, to celebrate for his soul for four 
years, twenty marks, by five marks per annum.f 

1458, Reginald Herryessone, of Norwich, habyrdasher, 

before the blood of the body of Christ, namely, 
(coram Sanguine corporis Christi;)% and 

. Katherine Marchale bequeathed to the building of 

a Reredoce in the said church, twenty shillings. § 

The Lady Alice, late wife of Sir Roger Harsyck, 

knight ; and bequeathed to the repairs of the new 
altars in the said church, five marks. |j 

1459, Alice Foster, wife of Edmund Foster, hosyer, and 

bequeathed to the amending of the Library of the 
the said Friars, thirteen shillings and four-pence.^[ 

The Lady Katherine Felbrigg, late wife of Sir Simon 

Felbrigg, knight, in the quire of that church, near 
the body of the said Simon, her husband ; and 
bequeathed to the building of the steeple, twenty 
pounds.** 

1467, John Pagrave, Esq., in the chancelLff 

1471, "William Lockwode, alias Clyvelond, Clerk, in the 

midst of the quire, at the head of the monument 

of Sir Simon Felbrigg, knight.§§ 

* R. Aleyn, f. 13. f R. Brosyard, f. 222. + R. Brosyard, f. 148. 
§ Id., f. 99. || Id., f. 129. Regist. Decani Norvici. 

** R. Brosyard, f. 185. ff R. Jekkis, f. 64. §§ Id., f. 231. 



32 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1472, Jowet Bumstede, widow of Thomas Bumstede, in the 
lest partye of the quere : she gave to every Friar- 
Priest, four-pence ; to every other Friar, two-pence ; 
also, forty shillings towards repairs, &c. 

1475, John Roberd, of Heygham, near Norwich. 

1477, Robert Harpeley, gentilman. 

1479, Agnes Cawmbrygg, widow, near the grave of Thomas 
Ingham, late her husband: she gave five marks. 

1497, Alice Worme, widow, by Thomas Worme, late her 
husband : she gave forty shillings.* 

Petyr Peterson, of Norwich, hardwareman, by the 

the grave of Alice, late his wife : he gave to the 
Prior and Convent, twenty-six shillings and eight- 
pence. Item. — To every Frere-Priest of the same, 
beying at his berying, four-pence ; and to every 
Frere-Novys of the same place then there being, 
two-pence.f 

1501, Robert Woderove, citizen of Norwich, in the cloyster, 

by Mawd, his wife ; and Agnes Swill, widow, by 
the body of her late husband. 
Ann Drury, relict of Roger Drury, Esq.* 

1502, Dame Jone Blakeney, widowe, at Norwich. " I com- 

mend my soul to God, &c, to St. John the Baptist, 
and to St. Domynyke, &c. ; and my body to be 
buryed in the chapell of our Lady of the Fryer 
Precheours, in Norwich. To the wiche house of 
Fryers, I bequeth in the day of my sepulture, 
for a Pyitans, ten shillings. Item. — To iche Priest 
in the said house, the same day, four-pence ; and to 
iche Novys, being no Priest, two-pence. Item. — 



* R. Multone, f. 67. f Id., f. 55. 
\Reg. Popy, f. 318; (Coll. D. Tann. Cane. J 



IN NORWICH. SS 

A. D. 

I bequeth to the said Fryer Precheours, in my 
thirtieth day, ten shillings. Item. — For a stone 
of marbyl to lye upon my grave, twenty-six shil- 
lings and eight-pence. Item. — I wille that the 
Blakke Freers shalle have two chalis of twenty 
pounds ; namely, of the sale of lands, if Thomas 
Blakeney, my son, should dye without issue. 
Item. — Twenty marks, for a vestment, if it can 
be spared."* 

1502, Philippe Cursone, " gentilman and aldyrman," of 
Norwich, willed to be buried in the church 
of St. Andrew, of Letheringsett. " And I will 
have a marbyll stone, with my name and armes, 
layd upon my grave. Item. — I will have sung St. 
Gregory's Trentall, at the Black Freres, in Norwich, 
with his other devotions, at the Autier on the 
right hand in their church, for me, Watys my 
father, Margarette my mother, Joane late my 
wyffe, &c. He that sings, to have ten shillings 
be yer, toward his abite and clothing ; and so the 
next poor Priest and Freer the same, by the space 
of twenty yeres. Also, I will have my year-day 
kepyd ther twenty-three or thirty-one years ; and 
I give twelve of the best zewes, and a ramme, 
and the encrease, to go to the sustentacion of the 
seyd Preste."f 

1503, Austen Boys of Norwich, by the grave of Mary, 
his wife. 

Isabella Ronham, of Norwich. 

Anne Drury, of Norwich, late wife of Roger Drury, 

Esq., by the grave of John Pagrave, some time 

* Reg. Popij, f. 315. f Reg. Spirting, f. 108; et Reg. Rix, f. 384. 

I) 



34 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

her husband: she gave to the repairs forty shil- 
lings, and six marks to a priest frier. 

1503, John Cowtyng of St. Clement's parish, who gave six 

shillings and eight-pence. 

1504, Anne Jeckis, single woman: she gave to the high 

altar, ten shillings ; to every friar two-pence ; 
and for a trental, ten shillings. 

1505, John Foster, citizen of Norwich, cook, who gave 

twenty shillings. 

Garrard Johnson, hardwareman, of the parish of 

St. Andrew, to be buried by Julian, his wife : he 
gave twenty shillings * 

1506, William Lyncoln, of Norwich, gentilman: he gave 

forty shillings ; and to the high altar of St. Julian's 
church, in Norwich, six shillings and eight-pence ; 
and to the repairs of it, twenty shillings, so that 
he dwelt in that parish.f 

1508, Jone Geddeney, widow. 

1509, Robert Barnard, late of Norwich, squyer, willed to 

be buried in the church, of the Blak Freris, " in the 
myddes before our ladies' awtier, in the south side 
of the meddil aley." " Item. — I bequeth to the con- 
vent of the said Blak Frers, to pray for me, my 
wyff, &c, six marks ; and a gown of cremsyn da- 
mask to make a cheseble there off.":}: 
1522, Elizabeth Felmyngham, widow, late the wife of 
Robert Felmyngham, gent., and, before, the wife 
of John Holdiche, esq., willed to be buried by 
her said husband Holdiche. " Item. — I bequethe 
to every frier, being a preste there, eight-pence ; 
and to every novice, four-pence. Item. — To four 



* Beg. Bix, f. 3:26. f Bey. Spyltimber, f. 51. \ Bey. Johnson, f. 3. 



IN NORWICH. 35 

A. D. 

prestes that shall beyre my corse to the said 
church, four shillings. Item. — To the repair of 
their house, thirteen shillings and four-pence, 
besides the forty shillings which I have already 
given them. Item. — Six shillings and eight-pence 
yerely, for twenty yeres, to keep an obite. Item. — 
To the repair of the church steple of Felmyngham, 
thirteen shillings and four-pence. Item. — A cope 
of twenty marks, with the arms of the said 
J. Holdiche, to be given to the church of Fouldon. 
Item. — I woll that my executours do make a plate 
of laten, gilt, with an ymage pictured in the same 
of our Lady ; and also, an ymage of my husband, 
J. Holdiche, kneling on the oone side, with his two 
soones and myn kneling by him, with a scoching 
of his armes and myn ; and the oone of them in 
his winding-sheet, and the other, Robert Holdiche, 
in his cott armur, byfor the said ymage ; and 
I, and my three daughters and his, in their 
winding-shetes, behind me, in the said plate : with 
scriptures, concerning where we lye. And the 
said plate to be sett in a wall, as near my said 
husband's grave and myn as may be conveniently, 
by the discretion of my executors."* 
1529, Roger Colam, " one the southe side of Master Berney, 
by the awtier of our blissed ladye." " And I 
bequethe to the same house of freres for myn 
buryeng and other charges, as brekyng of the 
grownde, and to pray for myn soule, four pounds ; 
also, to be distributed to the prestes and yonge 
freres of the same house, to pray for myn soule, 



Bey. Grundsburgh, f. 1. 

jf 2 



36 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES. &c. 



forty shillings. Item. — I will have an honest 
priest of the same house to pray for my soul, 
and for the souls of my father and mother, &c., 
withyn the church of the said freres, by the space 
of seven yeers, or more, if it may be borne of my 
goodes ; and he to have for his salarye four 
pounds per annum. And I wille that Master 
Doctour Todnam shall have the said servyce."* 

To these, I shall add the following Account of Burials, 
from Mr. Weaver's Book of Funeral Monuments, but not 
correct there : — 

William Mauteby ; John Debenham ; Margaret Er- 
pingham ; Jone, wife of Richard Wychingham, daughter 

of Fastolf, obijt 1459 ; Thomas Yngham, sen., obijt 

1455 ; Sir Simon Felbrigg, knight, obijt 1442 ; Dame 
Margaret, first wedded to Sir Gilbert Talbot, afterward to 
Constantine Clyfton, obijt 1434 ; John Berney, Esq., and 
Jone, his wife ; John Holdiche, 1487 ; John Tellys, 1490 ; 
Edmond, son of John Hastings, 1487; and Eleanor, his 
wife, daughter of Edward Woodhouse, knight. 

SOME OTHER BENEFACTORS TO THESE FRIARS, NOT 
BURIED HERE. 

King Henry the third gave them ten marks in the 
fifty-sixth year of his reign.f 

A. D. 

1372, William de Pulham, mercer, citizen of Norwich, gave 
them twenty shillings to celebrate for his soid.J 

1496, John Hayne, orgone-maker, to the repair of their 
place, forty shillings. § 



* Reg. Archid. Norvic. 
\ Reg. Hat/d<m. 



+ Mag. Rot. 56, H. nr., Norff. 
§ Reg. Multone, f. IS. 



IN NORWICH. 



37 



OF LETTERS OF CONFRATERNITY. 
Another method of getting money was also used by 
these friars, and in general by all the religious orders, 
which was, the selling of letters of confraternity, thereby 
parcelling out their own merits to such persons as they 
could persuade to buy them, and which were not a few. 
These letters they always carried about with them ; being 
ready drawn, excepting a blank for the persons' names, 
which was quickly filled up. I have seen an original, 
which was granted by our black friars, whereof take this 
translation : — 

" To the devout, and our beloved in Christ, John Bery, 
and Margery, his wife, and Margaret, her mother, Friar 
Robert Felmyngham, humble Professor (Sacra Societatis) of 
Divinity, and Prior Provincial of the Order of Friars 
Preachers of England, (wisheth) health and continual in- 
crease of celestial graces. The affection of your devotion, 
which you have to our order, requiring it, I grant you a 
special participation, as well in life as death, by the tenor 
of (these) presents, of all the masses, prayers, preachings, 
fasts, abstinences, watchings, labours, and all other good 
things, which, by the brethren and sisters of our order, 
the Lord hath granted to be done throughout the whole 
province of England. And I will, moreover, and order 
that, after your decease, your souls shall be recommended 
to the prayers of the brethren and sisters of the whole 
province, in our provincial chapter (si vestri ibidem fuerint 
nunciati) if we shall be there acquainted with it. And 
masses and prayers shall be injoined for them, as has been 
accustomed for our brethren and sisters deceased. In 
testimony of which thing, the seal of my office is appended 
to (these) presents. Dated at Norwich, a. d., M.ccccc.vij. 

FRIER WILLIAM BRYGGS, Prior." 



38 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



NAME. 

These Friars were called Jacobines, or Jacobites, 
Prechowrys, Prechours, (that is, Preachers) Dominicans, 
and Blake Fryrys. 



CHAPELS BELONGING TO THEIR CHURCH. 

Rauff Skety's Chapel, mentioned 1459 ; and, without doubt, 
so called from a chantry found by Ralph Skeet, one of 
the bailiffs in 1372, &c. 

The Chapel of our Lady, 1502. 

Thomas Beckett's Chapel, in the great vault under the 
library. 

ALTARS. 

The New Altar, 1457. 

The Altar of our Lady, on the south side of the middle 

alley, 1509. 
The Altar in Beckett's chapel. 



IMAGES. 

The Image of St. Peter of Malayn, 1466. 



LIGHTS. 

The Light of St. Quyryne, 1505. 

The Light of Holy Roode and of St. Barbara, 1527. 



The choir of their church was adorned with wainscot, 
curiously painted and gilt, representing many historical 
parts of scripture, and also several legendary stories, 
Avhich, at the suppression of the monastery, was bo Light by 

Mr , of St. Andrew's parish, and fixed round 

about the parlour of his house, which is opposite to the 



IN NORWICH. 



39 



north side of St. Andrew's church, where it still remains 
to be seen, and is a curiosity of the kind scarcely to be 
matched in England. Upon the lower rails of the said 
wainscot are several inscriptions, still legible, in memory 
of some benefactors of the said friars, namely, — 

Orate pro animabus Richardi Brown, nuper Maioris 
clvitatis norvici, et alicie, consortis sue. 

Orate pro animabus Edmundi Segeeorth, Mercer, 
Civis Norvici, nuper de Salle, et Johanne et 
Elwyse, uxorum suarum, et ominum beneeactorum 
eorundem. 

Orate pro animabus Willelmi Norwich, quondam 

Maioris Civitatis, et quondam consortis sue, 

et omnium benefactorum. 

Orate pro anima Johannis Norwich, sacre pagine 
professoris. 

These curious paintings were in the utmost danger 
of being destroyed in 17 '24 ; a fire happening in the house, 
which burned down all the back part of it, and damaged 
part of the front. But, by the very great help of people, 
and it being also covered with tiles, whereas the back 
part was reeded, the front of the house, and therein this 
parlour, was preserved : but the painting something in- 
jured by the great quantity of water poured upon the house, 
and which ran down upon it. 



GILDS. 

The Gilde of St. Wylliam, in the Blake Friers, 1521 * 
The Gilde of the Holie Roode, kepte there, 1527.f 

LIBRARY. 

The Library of the Black Friars was a long building, 



Reg. Alabaster, f. 116. 



\Reg. Palyrave, f. 17. 



40 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

from west to east, near the north, side of the chancel of 
their church, and is now a dwelling-house. 

The books observed therein by Leland,* were — 

Distinctiones Theologicse, auctore Gulielmo Lincolniensi Cancel- 
lario; (sic incipiens) " A reus dicitur Christus." 

Cosby, super Arjocalypsim. *' Quod vides scribe." 

Fyzaker, super primum Noctumum Psalterij usque ad " Deus 
meus, respice." — " Iste Liber docet." 

PRIORS OF THE BLACK FRIARS. 

Nicholas de Edenham, Prior, 1290.— 18 Edward i. 

Galfridus de Derham. — 33 Edward I. 

Robert de Fretone. — 4 Richard n. 

John Pynnesthorp. — 30 Henry vi. 

Doctour Roger Bemunde, 1501. f 

Thomas Bekyllys, 1505 + 

William Brygges, 1507. 

Edmund Harecok, 1556, resigned; and was succeeded by — 
Thomas Briggs, Bachelor of Divinity, who was Prior. — 
29 Henry vm.§ 

A. D. 1243. A Prior of the Friars Preachers of 
Norwich, not named, was a delegate, authorised by the 
cardinals, the papal chair being vacant, to cause to be put 
in execution by ecclesiastical censure, a mandate of theirs, 
concerning the church of Mordune.|| 

There was also in this monastery a house, called the 
School-house, as appears from an instrument of protestation 
and appeal, made a. d. 1376, by Friar Adam de Halesworth, 
as Proctor for the Friars Preachers of Norwich, Cambridge, 



* Collectanea, vol. in., p. 26. f Reg. Popy, f. 76. 
| Reg. Popy, f. 43. § Cur., 20th June — 29 Henry vm. 

|| Pryne, v. II., p. 6ol ; ex M. P., p. 583. 



IN NORWICH. 



41 



Lynn, Sudbury, Dunwich, Ipswich, Yarmouth, Dunstable, 
and Thetford, made before Henry de Playford, Notary- 
Public, in domo Scolarum Fratrum ordinis Predicatorum 
civitatis Norvici* 

Upon the suppression of all monasteries, frierys, &c, 
in A. D. 1538, the house and church of the Black Friars, 
in Norwich, escaped the axes and hammers of king Henry 
the eighth, which almost every where demolished all such 
edifices; for the city resolved, if possible, to obtain it 
for their own public use, and, for that end, first sent 
Harry Lynsted, alderman, to London about it. — " Paid to 
Mr. Lynsted, when he rode to London for the commonalty, 
concerning the place of the Black Freris, three pounds six 
shillings and eight-pence. "f 

Afterwards, at an assembly on Saturday, the last day 
of August, in the thirtieth year of king Henry the eighth, 
they agreed, that Edward Pede, and Austyn Styward 
alderman, shall ride to Kenynghall, to the Lord Duke of 
Norfolk, to have his Grace's will and pleasure, if the com- 
monalty shall make suit to the king's grace, to have the 
grant of the black friars' house, which is thought shall be 
suppressed, or not, &c. ; so that the city were willing to 
oblige the duke, and if he had designed to purchase it 
himself, it seems they would have made no further suit 
about it. The said Austyn Styward appears to have been 
the most active and public-spirited man of the whole city, 
in his time, as appears from a number of records ; and he 
was the principal instrument in obtaining the black friars 
for the city. 

At an assembly on the third of May, in the thirty- 
second year of king Henry the eighth, it was agreed, that 

* Autograph, in Guildhall. f Comp. Carrier 29 Henry vin, 



42 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Mr. Styward " shall be repaid all money that he hath paid 
for the commonalty, in obtaining of the king the place of 
the black freres, which the king, by great labour and 
diligence, suit and means of the same Austyn Styward, 
hath granted to the city, upon the following petition to 
him from the city: namely — 

" To the Kyng's most Royalle Majestye. Most noble 
and most drade Sovereigne Lorde — Your pouer most 
humble and obedient subjects, the mayer and other, the 
citizyns of your pouer citie of Norwyche, most lowlye do 
becheche your most excelent and redoubted majestie, to 
extende your bounteous goodnes towards them in suche 
thynges, as wherein they shalle, at this present tyme, be 
most humble sewters unto your highnes. 

" May it please your most excellent Majestie to be 
advertysed, that, lyke as, the xxix tb day of August last 
past, by virtue of your Gracy's commission, the house of the 
Austeyne Freris of your Hignes' pouer citye of Norwich 
was dissolved ; so it is universallye thought amongest your 
seyde oratours, at this present tyme, that all the other 
houses of freres within that your Gracy's cytye, shalle, 
hereafter, for their ungodly lyvyng, likewyse be dissolved : 
and whereas the house of the blak freris there, is situate 
and standith in the myddys and face of your Gracy's 
seyd citie, to the fayre sight, apparaunce, and suertye of 
the same ; and, forasmuche as your pouer oratours and 
obedient subjectys, the citezyns there, consideryng as welle 
the verey utter decaye of the sale of worstedis and sayes, 
as also of suche other thyngis as have bene accustomed 
to be made within their (your Gracy's) pouer citie 3 which 
hath been the great welthe, mayntenaunce, and sup- 
portacyone of the same, and not nowe, at this present 
tyme, for that and other consideracyon.es any longer able 



IN NORWICH. 



43 



to support and maynteyne the chargis of your Gracy's 
said citie, onles they may be, by the bountye of your 
most redoubted Majestie, from hensfurthe holpen in 
that behalf; 

" It may therefore please the same, your most habun- 
daunt goodnes, in consideracyon of the premyssis, to 
graunt the same house of the blak freris, with the appur- 
tenaunces, to your Gracy's seyd oratours, the inhabitauntys 
there, with the whiche, and suche other thynges as shal 
be employed thereunto, they may be the more able to 
maynteyne the chargis of your Highnes' seyd citie ; and 
they shall maynteyn, not only the face of the seyd church 
of the said freris, and be bounden to your most royall 
Majestye to fynd a perpetual free-scole therein, for the 
good erudicion and education of yought in lernyng and 
vertue, but also shal be most worthy bounden, as alredy 
they are, to pray to Almightye God for the prosperouse 
preservacyon of your most Royall estate, to alle our com- 
fortis long to endure, and at length to reward the same 
with eternalle joye." 

Besides the preceding petition, I have also met with 
the following notes concerning this matter : namely — 

" Consyderacions why the citie of Norwiche, (that I, 
Austen Steward, alderman,*) doth aske the gifte of the 
blak freris, with the orchard, &c, of the kyngis highnes, 
Henry the vni. 

" First. — To make of the churche a fayer and large 
halle, well pathed, for the mayor and his bretherne, with 
all the citizens of the same, to repair thereunto for their 
common assemblyes, as often as shall be expedient, as they 
have always used it tyme oute of mynde,, for the quyet 
governaunce and worship of the said citie. 



* Added by his own hand. 



44 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" Item. — To have there a pulpitte for all straungers 
and others, to preche the worde of God on Sondays and 
holydayes, bothe in the forenoone and afternoone, in such 
tymes, as when there is no sermon at the Crosse withyn the 
cathedral church. 

" Item. — Of the quere : to make it a chapelle for a 
preest for the said citizens, at their assemblye-dayes, and 
other, to here masse thereyn, and other servyce dayly. 

" Item. — Of the houses withyn the place : of those 
that be necessarye to stond, to make of the dortour and 
fraytour, garnettis for to leye thereone corne for the 
citie's store in tyme of skarcitie, and to maynteyne the 
maltyng-house, mil-house, and baking-house for the pronte 
of the citie. 

" Item. — The orcheyard to be lette out for the mayn- 
tenaunce of the same walls, and the reparacions of the 
churche and walls of the same house."* 

The king complied with the city's request, and granted 
the same by the following charter, a. d. 1540 : — 

" Henry the eighth, by the Grace of God, of England 
and France King, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, 
and on Earth Supreme Head of the English Church, to all 
to whom the present letters shall come, greeting. Know 
ye, that we, for the sum of eighty and one pounds of 
lawful money of England, paid into the hands of the 
treasurer of the Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of 
our Crown, to our use, by our beloved, Augustine Steward, 
of our city of Norwich, merchant, of our special grace, 
and of our certain knowledge and mere motion, have 
given and granted, and by these presents do give and 
grant to our beloved, the mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and 
commonalty of our said city of Norwich, the whole house 



Lib. Civitatis. 



IN NORWICH. 



45 



and site of the late priory or house of the late Friars 
Preachers, commonly called the Blah Freres, within our said 
city of Norwich, now dissolved ; and the whole church and 
steeple, with the lead, iron, and glass of the same; and 
the church-yard of the same house or priory of the late 
Friars Preachers ; and all our messuages, houses, edifices, 
barns, stables, yards, orchards, gardens, pools, ponds, land, 
and soil, being within the site, circuit, and precinct of 
the said late priory; and all the exterior walls, including 
the site of the said late priory ; and also, all that our yard 
and orchard, and the walls belonging, in the parishes of 
St. Clement and St. Mary, unburnt, in the great ward 
beyond the water, within the aforesaid city, lately belong- 
ing and appertaining to the said priory, and being parcel 
of the lands and possessions of the same house or priory 
of the late Friars Preachers, together with the chapel, 
and all the houses and edifices, being within the inclo- 
sure of the walls of the aforesaid yard ; and also, our 
one tenement, with the appurtenances, in the tenure of 
J ohn Baker, situate and being in the parish of St. Clement, 
in the aforesaid city, which said tenement was lately parcel 
of the lands and possessions of the said late priory — To 
have and to hold, and enjoy the aforesaid site of the said 
late priory or house of the late Friars Preachers ; and all 
and singular the aforesaid messuages, lands, and tenements, 
gardens, orchards, and all other and singular the premises 
above expressed and specified, with their appurtenances, 
to the afore-mentioned mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and com- 
monalty of our said city of Norwich, and to their successors 
for ever. To be held of us, our heirs and successors, in 
capite, by the service of the twentieth part of one knight's 
fee, and rendering for the same yearly to us, our heirs and 
successors, nine shillings sterling, at our Court of Aug- 



46 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



mentations of the Revenues of our Crown, at the Feast of 
St. Michael the Archangel, in every year, to be paid for 
all rents, services, and demands whatsoever, to be for the 
same rendered, paid, or performed, — the statute against 
putting of lands and tenements to mortmain, or any other 
statute, act, law, restriction, or any other thing, cause, or 
matter whatsoever, to the contrary thereof, in any wise 
notwithstanding ; and furthermore, of our more abundant 
grace, we give and grant, by (these) presents, to the before- 
mentioned mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty of 
our said city of Norwich, all the issues, rents, revenues, 
and profits of all and singular the premises above expressed 
and specified, with their appurtenances, from the Feast 
of St. Michael the Archangel, last past, hitherto coming 
or growing ; to have to the same mayor, sheriffs, citizens, 
and commonalty, of our gift, without account, or any other 
thing for the same, to be rendered, paid, or performed 
to us, or our successors, in any manner. We also will, 
and by (these) presents do grant, to the afore-mentioned 
mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty, that they may 
have, and they shall have, these our letters patent, in due 
manner, sealed under our great seal of England, without 
fine or fee, great or small, to be performed, paid, or ren- 
dered for the same to us, in our hamper, or elsewhere, 
to our use, in any wise, eo quod ; the express mention of 
the true yearly value, or of the certainty of the premises, 
or of any of them, or of the other gifts or grants, by us 
heretofore made to the afore-mentioned mayor, sheriffs, 
citizens, and commonalty of the city aforesaid, or to their 
predecessors, not being made in (these) presents, or any 
statute, act, ordinance, provision, or restriction, to the 
contrary hereof made, published, ordained, or provided, 
or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in any 



IN NORWICH. 



47 



wise, notwithstanding. In testimony of which thing, we 
have caused these our letters patent to be made. Witness 
myself, at Westminster, the twenty-fifth day of June, in 
the thirty-second year of our reign."* 

But, notwithstanding the above grant of the whole house, 
with the lead, iron, &c, yet the city was afterwards obliged 
to purchase the lead (which at first could not be valued, 
and a bond of five hundred marks was given that it should 
remain till valued) of the king, for one hundred and 
fifty-two pounds, as I find in the chamberlain's account, 
four years after the above charter. t( Item. — Paid at Bury, 
to Mr. John Eyer, receiver to the king, for the leed of 
the church, chancel, steeple, and two yles of the common 
hall, valued at thirty-eight fudder, after four pounds per 
fudder, one hundred and fifty-two pounds. "f 

OF THE CLOISTERS OF THE BLACK FRIARS. 
The cloister, of which the greatest part is still standing, 
is a large building, enclosing a square piece of ground, 
each side being about eighty-six feet long, (though, now, 
the additional buildings on the west and south sides have 
taken about five or six feet ofif it,) near the north side 
of their church, consisting of a double walk or portico, 
vaulted, and having four windows on each side, and large 
rooms or chambers over it, with a part, which is continued 
from the south-west corner of it, westward, to the street, 
and another from the north-west corner of it, northward ; 
in which latter part was the kitchen of the monastery. 
The room over the east side of the cloister was the 



* Per Breve de Privato Siyillo et de data prcedictd auctoritate Parliamenti. 

Ch. Hales Irrotataeum. Pat. 32, H. 8, part 5. 

f Comp. Camerar. — 36 Henry vin. (I have seen the acquittance for it.) Ed. 



48 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



dortour, which ran southward, unto the west end of the 
library ; that over the west side, was the frayter ; and the 
fermery was over the west part of the south side, which, 
as before said, ran to the street, over the common passage, 
now called the Dark Entry. Another part, vaulted, ran 
from the south side of the south-east corner unto the 
north door of the steeple, so that the friars could pass to 
their choir without fear of being wet by rain ; but this was 
broke down in the eighth year of queen Elizabeth. In the 
portico, or walks, they buried the friars, as I suppose ; for 
I have seen skulls and other human bones, dug up there 
A. D. 1696, when holes were dug to place the large blocks 
for the mint, on which the dies, or coining-irons, were 
fixed. At the north-west corner of it, there remained, 
still visible in 1713, two very large crucifixes, painted on 
the walls, with many inscriptions on each side of them ; 
but, by the damp or moisture of the place, the letters 
were too imperfect to be read. One of these crucifixes is 
painted on the north wall, at the north end of the west 
side or walk ; and the other, on the west wall, at the 
west end of the north walk. This part has long been used 
for a store-cellar for beer, which has caused a great moisture 
upon the walls. 

In the midst of the east side of the cloister, and ex- 
tending beyond it eastward, stood the Friars 9 Chapter-house, 
which fell down soon after the city had purchased the 
monastery, namely, on St. Stephen's day, in the thirty- 
second year of king Henry the eighth, and a great part of 
the dortour roof fell down with it. The entrances on the 
east side of the chapter-house were thereupon pulled 
down, and the wall levelled, in the thirty-fifth year of 
king Henry the eighth. An arch fell down last winter, 
in the south corner of the chapter-house. It remains in 



IN NORWICH. 



49 



ruins, and not rebuilt. It cost much, money for over- 
throwing of walls, beating down of buttresses, and break- 
ing of great clods or lumps of wall that came of them ; 
and also, for sorting of the brick and stone, and making 
clean the way from the street, along the east side of 
the cloister unto the water-gate at the river side, in the 
thirty-third year of king Henry the eighth, occasioned 
by the ruin of the chapter-house and some adjoining 
buildings : also, in the thirty-sixth year of king Henry 
the eighth, we find payments for making clean the cloister, 
and fetching manure out of the ground that was the 
chapter-house, to fill up the corner there near, to make 
it level with the rest, and for closing the chapter-house 
door.* 



OF THE DEMOLITIONS, NEW BUILDINGS, AND ALTERATIONS, 
AFTER THE MONASTERY CAME INTO THE HANDS OF 
THE CITY. 

In the chamberlain's account, in the thirty -third year 
of king Henry the eighth, many particulars are set down 
under this title, namely, — " Costes and chargis hade and 
done within the tyme of thys accompt, in the place late 
cald the Blacke Fryers, now cald the Common Halle, whyche 
place was spoyled and sore dekayed, and now re-edyfyed 
and reparyd." 

Inter alia. — " Of the Churchwardeyns of St. Peter of 
Mancroft, for a stoppe f of freston that stode at the west 
dore of the same halle, late the churche, six shillings and 
eight-pence; of John Pylson, (glazier) for six rowndells 
of glasse, that was gentylmen's armys, ten-pence." 



* Cornp. Camer. —33 and 36, Hen. vin. f This was to put their holy water in. 

E 



50 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



And in the thirty-fifth year of king Henry the eighth, 
six tables, that stood in the fraytour, were sold for fifty- 
five shillings ; and the said house was made a garner, or 
granary, as was also the fermery, and several other 
rooms. The vestry, on the north side of the chancel, 
was toned into a hall, a chamber, and other rooms, 
for the tenement then built, adjoining to it, near the 
elm, in the thirty-third year of king Henry the eighth. 
This tenement reached to the south end of the dorter. 
And another vestry was built near it, of smaller dimensions, 
in the thirty-sixth year of Henry the eighth, which now is 
used by the Dutch minister. 

In the thirty-seventh year of Henry the eighth, " sold 
an old almery of wainscot, that stood some time in the 
old vestry, and eighteen thin selyng-boards that came out 
ther, for twenty pence." — Then too 

" Part of the dorter -roof fell down, namely, the middle 
part of it ; and the timber of it was used to make the 
trussylls to all the new stalls in the pultre-market, fresh- 
fish market," &c. : it was not re-built, but remains still 
open, as also the south end does, whereof the remaining 
roof was taken down, and framed for the new kitchen. 

In the thirty-fourth year of Henry the eighth, several 
charges were paid " for taking down the old rovys (roofs) 
and planchers on the south syde of the cloyster, whereof 
part was fallen down before. Also, for brekyng down the 
walls over the cloyster, on the north syde of the halle, 
and levellyng all the long courte on the said north side." 
— And in the second year of Edward the sixth, " for 
taking down the tyle over the vyce, that lede up to the 
old bak-house, which was redy to falle down. Also, for 
takyng down certain galleryes at the southe end of the old 
bak-house, which galleryes were ready to falle." 



IN NORWICH. 



51 



The Library was partly covered with lead, which 
was taken down ; and now, in the thirty-third year of 
Henry the eighth, it was covered all over with thaktyle, 
and the windows of it were stopped with two loads of 
brick, which came from the grey friars, and cost only 
two shillings ; and the house was now made parcel of the 
tenement against the two elms. 

In the thirty-fifth year of Henry the eighth, in the 
chamberlain's account, we find payments for " makyng a 
new carte-gate out of the strete, next the two elmys," 
(where some house stood before) into the east part of the 
same place, and levelling all that court, from the street- 
side, south, down to the river, north. 

" Item. — For buyldyng a new house out of the ground 
over the said gate, and so forthe, to the east end of the 
lybrary, transposyng the said lybrary into a halle, a buttry, 
and a very fayre parlour. Item. — A new kechyne, with an 
ovyne, and a vowlt under the same, with a well therein, 
and three chymneys in those houses." 

THE ANCRESS-HOUSE. 

There was also a house called the Ancress-house,* 
concerning which, at an assembly, the Friday after the 
Ascension, in the second year of Edward the sixth, it was 
agreed, " that Kateryn Man, late recluse in the house of 



* It should seem that the anchorites' house was near the bridge ; for 
it was probably the same which a man had before, who was called the 
Hermite of Newbrygg, and is mentioned, a. d. 1441, 1442, and 1464, as 
" Richard, Hermyte of Newbrygg, and his clerk : " this Richard was, 
I think, the same with Richard Ferneys, Hermite, some time of Newbrigg, 
whose will, dated a. d. 1464, I have seen in the Reg. Jekkys, f. 15, wherein 
he willed to be buried in the church of " Chapply-field College." 



52 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the late Blake Freris, should have twenty shillings annuity, 
yearly, during her life ; the same Kateryn relinquishing 
to the commonalty all such right as she had in the said 
ancress-house, with the appurtenances." 

The ancress at the Black Friars is mentioned 1472 
and 1479 (a legacy of twenty-pence to her.) 

The ancress near the church of the Friars of the Order 
of St. Dominick is mentioned 1475, 1476* 

Katharine Foster, a recluse here, 1471 (a legacy given 
then to her maid.) f 

OF THE SCHOOL. 

A Grammar-school was kept here above-stairs, in the 
room late the fermery, or rather, as in another account, 
the fraytour, in the thirty-third year of Henry the eighth, 
and Walter Halle was school-master; but, after the city 
had purchased the charnel for a free-school, I find no more 
of a school here. 

OF THE CHURCH. 

The body of the church was made now a common 
hall for the corporation ; and, to distinguish it from the old 
Guild-Hall in the market-place, it is called the New Hall. 

It seems that all the pavement, as well of this as of 
the choir, namely, gravestones and other marbles, had 
been taken up and sold before the city pur chased it ; for 
this year, seventeen loads of small pathyng tyle, or pave- 
ments, as we now call them, were brought from the grey 
friars to pave the said hall. These were bought there, 
and paid for by Augustine Steward, alderman. But about 
three thousand more were also bought and used ; and the 



Reg. Gelour, f. 128. f Reg. Caston, f. 163. 



IN NORWICH. 



53 



workmen's wages came to four pounds one shilling and 
six-pence. 

The choir, or chapel, now the Dutch church, was at 
the same time paved with new pathyng tyle, namely, six 
thousand tyle annealed, which were bought at Yarmouth 
for four pounds six shillings, and with setting, &c, came 
to six pounds six shillings and eleven-pence. The steeple 
was also paved with pathyng tyle ; and the way that leads 
from the steeple to the cloister with pathyng stone. Then, 
as was requisite for a hall, a new buttry and pantry were 
built at the west end of the hall, namely, on the outside 
of it — one on the north, the other on the south side of the 
west porch ; and doors made out of the hall into them. 
For joists of the roofs thereof were bought forty-two great 
spars, which were parcel of the spars of the grey friars' 
chancel, and cost forty-two shillings; and with other 
things and work, fourteen pounds nine shillings and 
eleven-pence.* 

The next year we find payments for " fynyshing the 
buttry and pantry with shelvys, bredehutches, &c. Item. — 
Fynyshyng the halle with castyng, whytyng the walls, and 
makyng rayles for hangyngs arounde the same. Item. — 
For makyng of ten benchys betwyxt the pillars, with 
seats and backs,f and for fourmys and trustylls, and a 
square cubbard. Item. — For makyng of a new foundation 
and a mayne walle from the grownd up, in the arch be- 
twyn the east end of the hall and the stepyll,^ &c, &c. 

" Item. — 35 Henry viii., to a mason for coveryng all 
the tabylls of the clarystoryes of the south yle of the hall 
with morter and thacktyle, to make the water shote from 
the glass." 

* Cornp. Carrier — 33 Henry viii. 
f These were made by agreement for eleven pounds. 
$ Comp. Carrier, — 34 Henry viii. 



54 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



A house was also now built,* partly on each side, and 
partly above the south porch, near the west end of the 
hall, by Sir John Kempe, the priest of the chapel, towards 
which the city gave him certain stone, timber, tile, &c, 
unto forty shillings, towards the finishing thereof.f 

The choir aforesaid was fitted up for a chapel for the 
mayor, aldermen, &c, to repair to on public days ; and 
for the several companies, guilds, or fraternities of trades- 
men and artificers, to hear mass in, on their respective 
guild-days 4 

The ofTerings made by them were paid by the priest 
to the chamberlain for the use of the city, who paid him a 
certain yearly stipend for his service. 

Therefore, in the chamberlain's account,§ he charges 
himself with the receipt of three pounds eight shillings 
and five-pence of Mr. Kempe, priest of the common hall, 
for s{ the offrynggs of fraternities of guylds " kept there. 

And in his account of the thirty-fourth year of Henry 
the eighth, we find, amongst his receipts, an article in- 
tituled " Offryngs and Certeyns of Guilds /" and, under 
it : " Item. — Receyved of Sir John Kempe, Chapleyn of 
the Comon Halle, for the Offryngs and Certeyns of dyuers 
Guylds kept there, in the tyme of this Accompte — 



"Imprimis. — Of the offryng of the Paryshe Clerks ... 3 4 
"Item. — Of the Shoemakers' offryng 5s. 6d.; and of) q 10 



"Item. — Of the Mercers' offryng 10s. 1 \d. ; certeyn 5s. 15 11 
"Item. — Of the Smythis and Masons' offryngs 2s.lld.;\ fi , , 



certeyn 4s > 

* 35 Henry virr. 
f In the chamber of this house is now the city library. 
\ See the ordinance, made a.d. 1543, under that year. 

§ 33 Henry vm. 



s. d. 



them for a certeyn 4s. Ad. 



.J 




s. 


d. 


10 


2 


7 


8 


9 


1 


8 


0 


6 


6 


4 


2 


1 


8 


/ 


u 


5 


0 


6 


4 


4 


0 


5 


0 


5 


0 


3 


4' 



IN NORWICH. 55 

"Item. — Of theTaylors' offryng 5s. lOd. ; certeyn 4s. 4d. 

"Item. — Of the Bedwevers' offryng 3s. 8d. ; certeyn 4s. 

"Item. — Of the Bochers' offryng 5s. Id. ; certeyn 4s. 

"Item. — Of the Wullenwevers' offryng 4s. ; certeyn 4s. 

"Item. — Of the Carpenters' offryng 2s. 6d.; certeyn 4s. 

"Item. — Of the Fyshmongers' offryng oonly 

"Item. — Of the Reders' offryng oonly 

"Item. — Of the Goldsmyths', Sadlers', Calendrers', and 
Dyers' offryng 2s. Sd. ; and of them for a 
certeyn 4s. 4d. 

"Item. — Of the Worsted-wevers for a certeyn only .. 

"Item. — Of the Inkepers' offryng, and Bakers' with) 
Brewers', 2s. ; and certeyn 4s. 4d * 

"Item. — Of the Tanners, for a certeyn oonly 

"Item. — Of the Hat-makers, for a certeyn oonly 

"Item. — Of the Grocers, for a certeyn oonly 

"Item. — Of the Barbers, for a certeyn oonly 

The sum of all these is five pounds eighteen shillings 
and eleven-pence ; and the next year the sum was seven 
pounds seven shillings and four -pence : but, in the thirty- 
seventh year of Henry the eighth, there was no more 
than three pounds ten shillings and eleven-pence paid in 
all, for " bochers, fyshmongers, bakers and brewers, reders 
and watermen, harbours, carpenters, goldsmyths, inkepers, 
tanners," &c. But note, in the first year of Edward the 
sixth, there was nothing at all paid ; all being put down 
by act of parliament. 

In the chamberlain's account, of the thirty-second 
year of Henry the eighth, are several small charges, paid for 
u carrying in of stolys and the pulpit, bell-rope, trimming 
of the tabernacle for the pyxt, &c, in the Chapel of the 
late Black Freres. 

" In the thirty-third year of Henry the eighth, paid 
to Clement for candyll for the chappell all wynter, four 



56 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



pounds and five-pence ; and to hym " (he was the sexton, 
it seems) " for helpyng the priest to syng messe the 
whole yere, four-pence. 

" Item. — To a carpenter, for makyng a coffer to coyer 
the hole in the roffe of the chapell, where the lampe dyd 
hange, and ledyng of the same coffer, nine-pence. 

" Item. — To a glaswright, for makyng of two panys of 
glass in oon of the north windows of the chappell, which 
was broke by the tylers whan the lybrary was tyled, two 
shillings. 

" In the thirty-fourth year of Henry the eighth, paid 
to John Byrch, carpenter, and all hys men, takyng down 
the crucyfyxe, twelve-pence. 

" Item. — Spent in brede and drynke amongst the car- 
penters, masons, laborers, and strangers besyde, abought 
the takyng downe of the said crucyfyxe, fourpence.* 

" To Clement, the sexton, for makyng the chappell, 
the walls, and the ymages clene agenst Ester, whyche were 
sore fowlyd, four-pence ; and for washyng of the napery 
and scoryng the latten agenst Ester, three-pence ; and to 
Mr. Kempe for a newe pyxt, that he bought for the 
sakerment, eight-pence. 

" Item. — For a new herse for the chappel, &c. 

" Item. — For a new pane of glasse in the east wyndowe 
in the chappel, with a new ymage of St. Katherine,^two 
shillings. 

(i Item. — To a carpenter for makyng a perke'over the 
chappell-dore, to set one the organs ageyn&V Corpus Christi 
day. To four laborers that holpe home the organs from 
St. George's church * * * * 

* " The old roode was ryvyn to help to hete the plumbers' yrons for 
mendyng the roof: " that is, the old crucifix was split into pieces and 
burnt — 1 Edward vi — Comp. Comer. 



IN NORWICH. 



57 



fe Item. — Paid for six long mattes for the stolys, and 
eight shorter mattes for the desks in the chappell, two 
shillings and one penny. 

" Item. — For rayls in the chappell for hangyngs, twelve- 
pence. There was also bought a fair chest of wainscotte, 
to set in the chappell, to lock in the vestments, chales, &c. ; 
and two new napkyns bought for the altar in the chappell ; 
and two new cruetts. 

" Item. — Paid to a prest that sange masse on Corpus 
Christi day, in the mornyng, to consecrat an host for the 
pyxt, ageynst processyon to be borne, four-pence : to other 
two prestes that war decons that day, four-pence. 

" Item. — For two new pryketts for the candyllstycks 
in the chap ell, fourpence. 

" For the charges of the clerks that sange masse and 
even-song for the smyths -and masons, the Sonday byfore 
Mydsomer, twenty-pence." 

The same year* the city granted to Sir John Kempe, 
clerk, " in consideration that he, of his benevolence, hath 
bestowed about the buylding of a lodgyng with three 
chambers, over the porch of the house, late the black 
friars, now the common hall of the city, and on either side 
of the same porch, above sixty pounds ; — that, therefore, 
the said J. Kempe shall have the said lodgyng, with the 
office callyd the Chapleyn of the Chappell, belonging to 
the said hall, called St. John's Chapell, with all the obla- 
cions ; also, liberty of the garden and yard, called the 
prechyng-yard : and if the oblations shall not be so much 
yearly as six pounds thirteen shillings and four-pence, that 
then the city should make it up so much to him."f 

" The thirty-fifth year of Henry viu., paid for 
mendyng the organs in the chappell, six shillings and 

*34 Henry vm. f A. C. N. 



58 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



eiglit-pence ; and for scoryng of latten, and mending of the 
lampe, with twenty fadom of lyne for the said lampe, and 
hangyng up, eleven-pence. Item. — For one hundred 
pounds of lede, made in a weyght, to hang in a coffer in 
the roffe of the chappell, for the lamp, &c. 

" The thirty-sixth year of Henry the eighth, payd 
to a carpenter, makyng a lectorne for the myd quer ; 
and another, to stand at the hye altar end ; and a third for 
the organs, three shillings. Item. — To John Jowelle, for 
two fayer lectorn-hedes, that came out of the grey fryers, 
three shillings and four -pence. 

" Item. — Payd Mr. Kempe, prest of the common hall, 
for wyne and wax for prestes, straungers, that daly resort 
and syng masse in the chappell, two sliillings. Item. — 
For the clarke and sexton of St. Andrew's, for ther help 
at the prestes guylde, six-pence. Item. — To two prestes, 
that war deacon and sub-deacon on Corpus Christi day, 
eight-pence." 

I find they also made the chapel serve ^sometimes 
for a play-house ; for the account, in the thirty-eighth 
year of Henry the eighth, hath, " Item. — Payd for mendyng 
the dores, fourmys, and desks in the chappell, which war 
brokyn by vyolens of pepille that war ther at an interlude, 
the Sonday after Twelfth-day, eight-pence half-penny. 

" Item. — Gave in reward to Mr. Byrde, scolemaster of 
the gramer-scole, for his scolers playeng the said interlude, 
ten shillings." 

Also, in the second year of Edward the sixth, " paid, 
11 Decemb. to the kyngys players, playeng an-Tinter- 
lude in the comon hall, on the Sonday, Monday, and 
Tewsday, twenty shillings ; and to my Lord Protector's 
players, 14 Decemb. ten shillings. Item. — Another inter- 
lude was played here the Sonday byfore Candylmas." Also, 
at a court of mayoralty, SO March, 1616, license was given 



IN NORWICH. 



59 



to Queen Anne's company of players, &c., to play four days 
in the chapel, near the new-hall. 

At a court, 27 Decern. 16 IT, — e: Whereas, letters were 
received from the counsell, about a runnynge lottery in 
this city, it is thought fitt, at the request of Mr. Barbour, 
who brought the said letters, that the new-hall chappell 
shal be appoynted for that purpose. Paid, also, the saide 
thirty-eighth year of Henry the eighth, for mendyng a 
vestment of blew badkyne, and another of grene velvet, 
with their albs, stoles, and tannons, two shillings ; and, 
in the second year of Edward the sixth, payd to St. An- 
drew's sexton, for mendyng the bawdryke of one of the 
bells, one penny;" — so that there were then at least two 
bells in the steeple. In the old churchwardens' book, 
belonging to St. Andrew's parish, it appears, that the 
sixth and great bell of that church was bought of the 
prior of the black friars, at the dissolution, and weighed 
twenty-two hundred weight, and cost sixteen pounds. It 
had this distich upon it — 

" Laudo Deum verum, plebem voco, convoco Clerum, 
" Defunctos ploro, pestem fugo, festa decoro."* 

This was broke, and new cast, a. d. 1566; and after, in 
a. d. 1635 ; and, of late years, it was again broke, to make 
small bells, when the peal was increased to eight bells. 

" And paid at Ester, for a book of the newe servyse 
for the common hall, six shillings and eight-pence. 

" The third year of Edward the sixth, payd for a new 
Bybyll for the common-halle chappelle, for servyce to be 
sayd therein dayly, twelve shillings. 

" Item. — Receyved of the churchwardens of St. John at 
Tymbyrhyll, for three pecys of battylment, that came off 
the rood-loft, four shillings. 

* Coll. D. Tanner, Cane. 



60 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" The fifth year of Edward the sixth, payments for 
sixteen pounds of candell, burnt at the chappell, at 
Newhall, mornyng and evyning, and for ryngyng the bell, 
and for a new servyce-book for the chappell." 

At a court of mayoralty, 29 January, in the first year 
of queen Mary, the chamberlains were ordered to make 
up the altars at the new-hall and guildhall ; but, in the 
second year of queen Elizabeth, the Commandments and 
a Calendar were bought.* 

At a court, 29 Oct. 1614, agreed, "that the organ- 
case that standeth in the new-hall, shal be removed and 
sent down to the hospitall, to be there imployed till 
further order. 

" The fourth year of Edward the sixth. — In the 
Chappel at the common hall, remaynyng at Michaelmas. 
Imprimis. — Four deskys fyxed above the steppys. Item. — 
Two long deskys, bynethe the steppys, not fyxed ; oon old 
long fourm, and two short fourmis ; a coffer with four feet, 
stonding in the mydde chappelle; two long lectorns and 
two turnyng lectorns ; a beam, that the rood somtyme stood 
on ; two long planks, that war the cross, that the rood was 
nayled on ; a lamp of latten, with a wight of lede in the roof 
of the chappel ; a stole of yron for oon to syt on ; a payer 
of organs stondyng upon a scaffold, fyxed at the chapelle's 
ende, next the stepylle ; a new fourm, stondyng by the 
organs ; a payer of joynyd stayers, to go up to the organs. 

" Item. — In the Vestry there. Two altar clothys of 
dyaper ; a corporas cape of whyte damaske, with a clothe 
in it ; a vestment of grene velvet, with an awbe therto ; 
a vestment of blew wachet, with flowers of gold, and 
lynyd with sylke, and an awbe therto ; three pecys of 
hangyngs of black worsted," (for the herse, I guess) 



* Camp, Cam. 



IN NORWICH. 



61 



u imbrodred with dede bodys, rysyng owt of graves ; 
a Book of Common Prayers ; a new Bybyll. 

" In the Stepyll ther. Two bells hangyng. 

" Item. — A pulpy t of waynscot, new ;" (which is now 
at St. Stephen's church.) 

" Item. — In the Hall there, an altar, stondyng in the 
nether end, in the stede of a cubbard." — This is the large 
stone table, commonly called the stone, which stands at the 
south-east corner of the hall, being the upper end, where 
St. George's company dined, and where the several compa- 
nies of tradesmen or artificers usually hold their meetings. 
The crosses, in several parts not yet worn out, show it 
to have been an altar. The Dutch congregation had this 
chapel afterwards for their church, as they now have ; but 
they had first the new hall : for, in a. d. 1619, I find it 
mentioned, that the Dutch had long used the new-hall 
for their church, without recompence given to the city for 
the same.* 

The same year, " the Lord Bishop of Norwich, having 
required to have his chappell into his own hands ; and bene 
pleased to take a viewe of the chappell at the new-hall, to 
the end, that the Wallon congregation, who now use his 
lordship's chappell, might there be provided for, which this 
house " (that is, the court of mayoralty) " did like well of, 
the said Wallons having bene formerly called into this court, 
and willed to take consideration of the business till this day, 
the seventeenth of November, 1619, they now do answer, 
that the said chappell at the new-hall, is too little for their 
company; and that the sermons of the Dutch and Wallons 
being at one and the self-same tyme, the voyce of the one 
congregation, in singing Psalmes and the like, will hinder 
and disturb the other; and that, therefore, they will be 

* Cur. Major— \2 Nov. 1619. 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



petitioners to his lordship for their contynuance in his 
lordship's chappell."* 

The Dutch continued to have the use of the hall for 
their church till 1625 ; but they had no seats built or 
fixed in it, but only used their own chairs, which they 
caused to be removed every time, the same or next day.f 

But, in a. d. 1625, they had a grant of the chapel 
from the city, at six shillings and eight-pence per annum, 
which they fitted up with seats, &c, as best suited them : 
also, they had one of the chambers near it, where they 
held their consistories, or the meetings of their ministers, 
elders, and deacons, for the good government of their con- 
gregation. For this Consistory-Chamber they paid the city 
twenty shillings per annum, till 1643, when they left it.* 

At an assembly, on the eighth of September, 1650, it 
was agreed, that the Dutch chapel should be appointed for 
the preaching-place, instead of the cathedral, for the fore- 
noon sermon on the sabbath-day, before the mayor and 
aldermen ; and that seats be built in it for the mayor and 
aldermen, and for the common council-men and livery- 
men, and their wives ; and, on the thirty-first of January 
following, that twenty-six cushions be provided for the 
mayor and aldermen's seats, with the city arms upon every 
cushion. At the same time, certain persons were appointed 
to acquaint Mr. Tolye and Mr. Kinge, in whose names the 
patronage of St. Peter of Hungate church was taken, that 
it is the desire of this assembly, that the Dutchmen may 
have the use of that church. 

And at a court of mayoralty, seventh of June, 1651, 
it was agreed, that the sermon on the guild-even be at 
St. Andrew's, if the chappell be not ready, and upon 

* Cur 17 Novem. 1619. f Patet. Cur 26 Oct. 1622. 

\ Comp. Camer. 



IN NORWICH. 



63 



Tuesday, in the chappell ; and that they shall ride to 
Christ-church gate, and there hear the oration, and then 
ride to the hall. 

In 1656, a gallery was ordered to be built for the 
mayor and aldermen at the chapel;* but, after the resto- 
ration, the court repaired to the cathedral church, as 
formerly had been used. 

And at an assembly, the twelfth of February, 15 Car. n., 
it was ordered, that the Dutch congregation should have 
the use of the chapel at the new-hall, for the exercise 
of divine worship, at the same rent they formerly did 
pay, &c. : yet, in the reign of king James the second, 
the papists used their endeavours to turn out the Dutch 
from it again ; for, at an assembly, ninth of May, 1687, 
a petition from James Hacon, Esq. and Charles Skinner 
and William Cobb, gentlemen, was presented in behalf 
of themselves, and other Roman Catholics of the city, 
to have the use of this chapel, which was read ; as was 
also another from Abraham Waller, Peter Prime, Peter 
Beak, John Hendrick, and others, members of the Dutch 
congregation, on the behalf of the said congregation, that 
they might enjoy their said church or chapel, as hitherto 
they had: whereupon, the question being put whether 
the Dutch should continue the possession thereof, it was 
agreed they should; there being forty-two notes in the 
affirmative, and but four in the negative. Afterwards, 
at an assembly, twenty- third of August, 1687, upon a 
letter from Sir Henry Bedingfeld to the mayor, in the 
king's name, recommending the Roman Catholics to be 
provided with a place for their worship, it was agreed, 
that they should have a lease of the west granary, late in 



Cur 13 Feb . 1655. 



64 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the use of the Independents of this city, at twelve-pence 
per annum acknowledgment, &c. 

OF THE PREACHING -YARD. 
And, now I am mentioning the chapel, I shall 
next take notice of the preaching-yard, which was the 
yard on the south side of the hall and chapel, which 
is called now the Green-yard. It was called the Prechyng- 
yerd, in the time of Edward the third, and perhaps 
long before ; and doubtless had that name from sermons 
usually therein made by the friars preachers, at certain 
times of the year : afterwards, it went by the name 
of Mr. Kempe's Garden, from Mr. Kempe, the priest 
before-mentioned. The east part of this yard was severed 
from the rest of it, and leased out by the city, in the 
thirty-third year of Henry the eighth, whereof it is men- 
tioned, — " Paid for a wall makyng betwixt the commons 
and the gardeyn, in lease to John Clark Cook, with a new 
bank in the prechyng-yerd ; mendyng the buttracis, &c, 
seven pounds eight shillings."* 

Afterwards, namely, in the fifteenth year of James the 
first, this part was sold by the city to Richard Manne and 
Samuel Manne, merchants ; and is now a very fan house and 
garden, of which Mr. John Reeve, merchant, is owner. 

In the other part, now called the Green-yard, was 
the great pulpit set up, which was brought from the 
green-yard at the cathedral ; and galleries were made next 
the walls, on the east and south sides, for the mayor, alder- 
men, common-council, liverymen, and wives, to sit in and 
hear the sermons. This was done by order of assembly, 
made the third of May, 1650. For they preached some- 



* Comp. Cam — 33 Henry vra. 



IN NORWICH. 



65 



times in the chapel, and sometimes (in summer only, I 
suppose) in this yard. But, in old time, they had a 
moveable pulpit, which was carried into the yard, and set 
up in Rogation-week, as were also forms, or benches, to 
sit on : and the ground about the pulpit was strawed 
with green sedges the two first days. It was carried back 
again (into the chapel, I suppose) on Ascension-day.* 

At an assembly, ninth of April, 1661, an order was 
made, " that the pulpit and seats at the greene-yard at the 
new hall shal be taken down, and set up with all conve- 
nient speed in the greene-yard at Christ-church ; and the 
maior and aldermen shall continue their going to the 
cathedral church, to the forenoon sermon on the Lord's- 
day, &c, as in times before the year 1642, they did." 

But the former part of the order was never performed ; 
for, at an assembly, twelfth of July, 1672, the seats and 
scaffolds in the artillery-yard were ordered to be taken 
down, and the south side of the new-hall to be repaired. 

At a court of mayoralty, the eighteenth of July, in 
the twenty-first year of Elizabeth, it was agreed, that 
such persons as should depart this life, in St. Andrew's 
parish, should for this year be buried in this new-hall 
yard. — (The plague was now in Norwich ; and it was so 
used, and rent paid the city for the same, as appears by 
the churchwardens' account of St. Andrews' parish of 
the year 1579 .f) 

A FURTHER ACCOUNT OF THE NEW BUILDINGS. 
When the city had purchased the monastery as afore- 
said, and intended the church for their common hall, 
wherein to hold their St. George's Feast, &c, they found 

* Comp. Camer — 33 and 34 Henry vin. f Coll. D. Tanner, Cane, 

F 



66 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the old kitchen not conveniently sitnated for that purpose, 
and therefore made a new one nearer to the hall, namely, 
near the north side of the west part of it, which is still 
used. And therefore, in the thirty-third year of Henry 
the eighth, we find, " a new kechyne begon to be bylded. 
Imprimis. — Paid to Mr. Gybbon, master of my Lord of 
Norfolk's works, comyng from Framyngham-Castle hither, 
for his advice, ten shillings. Item. — To diverse labourers 
betyng down the particions betwyxt the archys and the 
vowtyngs, and for claryfying of the ground, five shillings 
and three-pence. Item. — For eight lode of frestone, bought 
at the grey friars, twenty-six shillings and eight-penceu 
Item. To a fremason, for makyng the geamys of the 
chymneys, &c. — Summa, four pounds eighteen shillings 
and nine-pence half-penny." 

In the thirty-fourth year of Henry the eighth, charges 
paid for " shoryng the planchour over the back-hows, when 
the gabill was taken down betwixt the back-house and the 
yard, which ys now the kechyn. Cost and charge done in 
the tyme of thys accompte at the common halle, namely : — 

"Imprimis. — A new kechyne out of the grownde ; 
makyng of two new ovyns in the back-howse, with moche 
other worke ; and transposing in the same howse. 

" Item. — Fynyshyng of a wete-larder with new dores, 
wyndews, shelvys, &c. 

" Item. — Fynyshyng of a dry-larder, or prevy kechyn, 
in like maner. 

" Item. — Pathyng of the courts betwyxt all the said 
houses. 

u Item. — Makyng of a new welle out of the grownd, 
with stops and cheynes, and a condyte from thense to the 
boylyng-offyce. 

" Item. — Fynyshyng of a boylyng-howse, with leds, 
cystern, &c. 



\ 



IN NORWICH. 67 

" Item.— Fynyshyng of a dresser-howse, with all ne- 
cessarys. 

" Item. — For makyng of a new jakes out of the 
grownde, in the back court. 

" Item. — For conveyng a waye, or a lane, out of the 
strete, into all the forsayd offysys and schole-howse there, 
with fense-walls of stone. — (This way is that now called 
the Dark Entry.) 

" Item. — A grete dore-stall, made out of the survey- 
howse into the kechyn court ; and for makyng the water- 
gate next the sope-howse ; and for two grete boltes of yron 
to anker in the joppe and the two pryncypalles at the 
ende of the dorter, next the lybrary. To labourers castyng 
(namely, emptying) the systerne, late the dorter-jakys, 
next the water-gate, four shillings and six-pence. 

" Item. — The thirty-fifth year of Henry the eighth, 
for castyng of a mote next the ryver, to kepe in sygnettes, 
where some tyme was the friers 5 jakes aforesaid ; and for 
makyng a fense-walle out of the grownd, fiom the north 
ende of the dortor to the water-gate, to fense in the mote. 

" In the second year of Edward the sixth, a newe 
buttrace was made on the south syde of the howse, some 
tyme called the fermery, which was in peril of synking. 

" In the first year of Elizabeth, a gret gable made at 
the newe hall, cost thirty-three pounds six shillings and 
eight-pence."* 



OF THE VAULTS. 
There were many large vaults, or arched cellars, whereof 
it seems the chief, besides those for their beer, &c, was 
under the library, and a part of it was called /St. Thomas 



* Comp. Cam. 

F 2 



68 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Becketfs Chapel. Of these vaults, we find, in the thirty- 
fifth year of Henry the eighth, payments " for transposyng 
all the vowlts, makyng them warehouses, &c. ; for seven 
new wyndows for the vowt under the south end of the 
dorter, and two wyndows for the vowlt under the lybrary ; 
and for brekyng down an altar in the gret vowlt, cald 
Thomas Becket's Chappell, and carrying out of the stuff 
of the same, two shillings and three-pence." — This is the 
same, I think, that is after-mentioned, and called " the 
gret vowlt at the tenement ageynst the two elmys," which 
came as far as the cart-gate new made there. 

Also, in the thirty-sixth year of Henry the eighth, 
payments for " brekyng down a gret hurdas (what it was, 
I know not) in the gret vowlt ; makyng the new stayers 
out of the gret vowlt into the lytyll courte, next the 
chappell ; and settyng a dore aloft, and stoppyng the old 
dore where the hurdas was."* 

Towards the great charges of the corporation in these 
new buildings and alterations before mentioned, some 
persons made a voluntary contribution of money. Thus, 
in the thirty-fourth year of Henry the eighth, "received 
of dyverse men, of their benevolens, given toward the 
buyldyng of the newe howsys at the common hall, — namely, 
of T. Pykrell, Robert Farrour, A. Steward, R. Leche, 
and W. Rogers, aldermen, forty shillings each; Robert 
Rugge and E. Woode, aldermen, thirty shillings each ; 
Thomas Codde, alderman, and John Corbet, Esq., twenty 
shillings each ; Mr. Lawse, alderman, Thomas Cony, 
Thomas Marsham, William Morront, John Cutler, and 
Thomas Moore, ten shillings each ; Mr. Castylden, late 
Deane of the cathedrall church, twenty shillings ; Stephyn 



* Comp. Cam. — 35 and 36 Henry vin. 



IN NORWICH. 69 

Raynbald, six shillings and eight-pence ; and William 
Sandryngham, three shillings and four-pence — Summa, 
nineteen pounds ten shillings. And the master of the 
hospitall gave two grete popylls, growing in Mr. Austen 
Steward's meadow, in St. Vedast's paryshe. 

" Item. — Of the executors of Adryan Mace, toward the 
buyldyng of the common hall ; for that St. Georgy's bro- 
therne dyd not drynke at his kepyng for, accourdyng to 
to the custome, twenty shillings.* 

" Also, in the thirty-sixth year of Henry the eighth, 
receyved of certen aldermen and comyners, and for ens, 
inhabytaunts within the citie, of ther benevolens towards 
the purchase of the comon hall, the payment of the lede, 
and other buyldyngs in the same — Summa, fifty pounds 
fifteen shillings and four-pence. f" 



THE THIRTY-THIRD YEAR OF HENRY THE EIGTHTH.— RENTS 
OF THE HOUSES AND GROUNDS LATE BELONGING TO THE 
BLACK FRIARS, PER ANNUM.f 

"COMMON HALL. ST- ANDREWS. 

/vrwiv ai j ai \ Thomas Gooche, late 
Oi William Almond, or Alman, J 5 

r n , r,i i / w. A., from the tenth of 

lor an annuall rent oi the howses, ( ? 

, u .i ,i . > Jan.l537,(29Hen.vm.) 

newe buyldyd over the south gate, I t ?v m / 

, j • i . \ for eighty years, six shil- 

six shillings and eight-pence. J ° J \ 

lings and eight-pence. 

Of Thomas Wolman, for two The brew . nous6) from 

yeres ferme of the maltyng-office J ^ fct and ^ 

there, with other grownds and q{ ^ for 

houses adioynyng, seven pounds \ r . £ . i-ir 

j j j e>* r j tortyyearSjiortyshillmgs. 

six shillings and eight-pence. ' 



* Comp. Camer. — 34 Henry vm. f Comp. Carrier — 36 Henry vm. 
\ Liber Robert Myngay, 1561. 



70 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" Of John Clarke, for half-a-yere 
ferme of a gardeyn, now newly 
severed from trie prechyng-yerde, 
and graunted him by lease, six 
shillings and eight-pence. 

Of Robert Fox, for three quar- 
ters ferme of a tenement, newe 
buyldyd, late the ankers'-howse, 
one pound ten shillings. 

GREAT GARDEN. 

Of Mr. Edmund Wood, alder- 
man, and several other persons, 
for the ferme of the said gret 
gardeyn, in several parcels : in 
all, nine pounds one shilling and 
four -pence. 

Inter alia. — Of Henry Bakon, 
for a parcel of the same gardeyn, 
with a tenement and an howse, 
sometyme a chapel, parcel of the 
same, twenty-six shillings and 
eight-pence ; 1561, fifty shillings. 

Item. — Of John Baker, for the 
ferme of a lane, with an howse 
on the north ende of the same 
lane, whyche dyd parteyne to the 
said Black Fryers, six shillings 
and eight-pence."* 



Thomas Gooche, for a 
parcel of the preaching- 
yard, from the third year 
of Elizabeth,for tenyears, 
thirteen shillings & four- 
pence. 

One messuage in St. 
Peter's of Hungate, John 
Rede, from the first year 
of Elizabeth, for sixty 
years, four pounds. 

An entrie at the east 
end of the church, Ralph 
Pynne, late Robert Fox, 
from the thirty-eighth 
year of Henry the eighth, 
for twenty years, twelve- 
pence. 

1 561 . — Ten parcels to- 
gether, for eleven pounds 
eighteen shillings and 
four-pence. 



1561.— Robt. Gosling, 
six shillings and eight- 
pence." 



* Comp. Camer.— 33 Henry vih. 



IN NORWICH. 



71 



In the thirty-seventh year of Henry the eighth, amongst 
the receipts for the great garden farms : — " Item. Of J ohn 
Rouhale Smyth, for half-a-yer's ferme of a smythi's shoppe, 
on the south-est corner of the said gret gardeyn, which 
was purchased* of Mr. John Eyer in the tyme of this 
account, six shillings and eight-pence. — 1561, thirteen shil- 
lings and four-pence." 



DISCHARGE OF HOMAGE AND FEALTY FOR 
THE BLACK FRIARS. 

The corporation met with some trouble about the 
Black Friars, because (as before appears) it was granted 
them, to be held of the king in capite by knights' service, 
which tenure requires homage and fealty to be performed ; 
and on the nineteenth of May, in the thirty-fourth year of 
Henry the eighth, was paid to Mr. Ward, town-clerk, t( for 
the costes of the sewte for the dyscharge of the homage 
of the common halle, thirty-five shillings and eight-pence."* 
But at length they were discharged thereof, namely, at 
Easter Term, in the third year of Edward the sixth, as 
appears by record. 

The king had issued a writ of non omittas, dated the 
tenth of February, in the third year of Edward the sixth, 
to the sheriffs of Norwich, to distrain the mayor, sheriffs, 
citizens, and commonalty, who held the Black Freres, so 
that they might appear on the Morrow of the Close of 
Easter, to perform homage and fealty for the premises : 
at which day they appeared by their attorney, and com- 
plained that they were distrained in their goods, &c. But 

* In another place, it says, purchased of Dr. Manfield for eight pounds. 
It paid yearly seven-pence farthing to the late Priory of St. Faith's. — 
(This is now Captain Black's house. 1722.) 

f Comp. Carrier. — 34 Henry vin. 



72 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



they said, that, " whereas they are a body politic in name 
and fact, composed of many persons, in which case, they 
neither can perform the same, nor are bonnd by the law of 
the land to do it; that therefore the said process against 
them was not sufficient in law to compel them to it, &c, 
which they are ready to verify," &c. The Barons of the 
Exchequer, considering the matter, discharged them,* &c. 

FURTHER OF THE HALL. 
The said hall is handsomely paved with good purbeck 
stone, which was begun in a. d. 1645. It was first agreed, 
at a court of mayoralty, on the thirty-first of January, 1645, 
that Mr. Christopher Barrett, alderman, should buy for 
the city three thousand purbeck stones of his sons, 
Peter Barrett and John Cooper, at as reasonable a price 
as he could ; which received confirmation at an assembly, 
on the second of February following, when it was thus 
ordered: — "That purbeck stone shal be bought for the 
pavinge of the middle ile in the new-hall, and the work 
shall go on." 

At another assembly, on the eighth of July, 1646, 
this order was made : — "The remainder of the charge for 
finishing the paving of the new-hall, over and besides 
what shall be gathered of the companies in this city, shall 
be borne by the city out of the treasury; and that sixty 
pounds be taken out for the same." 

£. s. d. 

The Company of the Worstead Weavers gave towards) 13 g g 

the said charge of paving the hall ' 

The Taylors 5 0 0 

The Cordwvners 5 0 0 



* Memorand. Scaccarii, de Anno 3 Regis Edward vi., videlicet, Inter 

Eecord. de termino Pasche, Rot. 12, ex parte Remem. Thesaur 

Lib. Alb., f. 98. 



IN NORWICH. 



73 



The rest I have not met with. But I find paid out of the 
city treasury, in March, 1645, forty-three pounds eleven 
shilling's and four -pence for stone, and fifteen pounds for 
the workmen ; also, in 1646, fifty pounds, besides the 
sixty pounds above-mentioned. 

A large brass plate was fixed in the pavement, at the 
upper end of the hall, with the city-arms engraved, and 
an inscription, showing when and by whom this pavement 
was begun and finished ; but by the fall of the steeple, 
the stone was broken, and the plate thrown by, and is 
now lost. 

Afterwards, namely, in a. d. 1658, the new-hall entry, 
called now the Dark Entry, was paved by the Worstead- 
Weavers' Company, towards which the city allowed them 
six pounds thirteen shillings and four-pence, and the 
Bussel Company, also, six pounds thirteen shillings and 
four-pence. 

A. D. 1676. — The arches of the granary at the new- 
hall were repaired, and the chimneys in the granary, in 
the use of Nathaniel Helwys, pulled down. — Charges forty- 
six pounds.* 

This hall is the place where the mayor, sheriffs, and 
aldermen meet every Sunday, to go thence to the cathe- 
dral church, concerning which, the three following orders 
of the court of mayoralty have been made, namely, — 

"The twelfth of June, 1661. — That the mayor and 
aldermen do meet at the new-hall, on Sunday next, from 
thence to go to Christ-Church, to hear divine service ; and 
so to continue the same custom every Sunday. 

"The eighth of November, 1662.— That the meeting 
of the mayor and aldermen shall, upon the Lord's-Days, 



Cur. Mayor — 8 March and 10 May, 1676. 



74 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



be at the new-hall in the forenoon, before prayers; and 
that the bridewell-man do ring the bell again, and begin at 
eight, and ring nntil they begin to ring in at Christ-Church, 
and then the mayor and aldermen to go thither to prayers ; 
and he shall have six shillings a quarter for it. 

" The sixteenth of November, 1681. — That the meeting 
of Mr. Mayor and his brethren at the new-hall, upon 
Lord's-Days, for the future, shall be about nine of the 
clock in the morning, in order to their going to the divine 
service and sermon at the cathedral." 

Now the bell usually rings from half-an-hour past 
eight till nine, in which time the mayor and aldermen meet 
here, and at nine gc to church; except on Christmas-day, 
Easter, &c, when they go to church in the afternoon, and 
then the bell rings from two till three for their meeting — 
the same when they meet to go to anniversary commemo- 
ration sermons. But I find that, in king Charles the first's 
time, they met for this purpose at the free-school ; for, at a 
court of mayoralty, on the thirtieth of July, 1636, it was 
ordered, — " A carpet and half-a-dozen quishings, (cushions) 
to be bought for the new-hall, and a seeling and bench to 
be made for the stone, that the same may be fit for such 
meetings as shall be there appointed ; also, a dozen of like 
quishings to be bought for the free-school, for Mr. Mayor 
and aldermen, their meeting there on Sonday mornings." 
And, as for the ringing of the bell, it is also rung daily, 
according to this order of the court of mayoralty, namely, 
on the fourth of November, 1665, ordered, — " That the 
keeper of bridewell do, from henceforth, cause the bell 
at the new-hall, to be rung at five of the clock in the 
morning, at one in the afternoon, and at seven at night, 
for a quarter of an hour at every time ; and this daily, 
except on Sondays and holydays — and for every time that 



m NORWICH. 



75 



he fails, he is to forfeit twelve-pence out of his salary." 
But it has not been rung at one in the afternoon for many 
years. — An alteration has been made, a. d. 1725, so that 
it rings in the morning at the time appointed for the watch 
to end, namely, sooner or later, according to the length or 
shortness of the nights. 

Formerly, the hall was yearly adorned with tapestry, 
cloths, or hangings, against the guild-eve and guild-day; 
and also with the pictures of the aldermen and other bene- 
factors to the city, which hang up in the council-chamber 
at the guild-hall, and which were carried back again when 
the guild-day was over, till A. d. 1700, when the hall was 
much beautified by new painting the pillars, plastering the 
walls, &c. ; and the two rows of double benches, which were 
fixed on each side of the middle aisle between the pillars, 
were taken away and set against the walls on each side of 
the hall, to make it more commodious for the purpose of an 
exchange : then also were the rails, on which the hangings 
had been usually fixed, taken down, and remain so. 

Concerning the said custom of hangings, I find that, 
on the tenth of December, 1651, Sir John Wodehouse, 
knight, was then sick, and to have ordered twenty pounds 
to be put into his will, to the city, towards hangings for 
the hall, for St. George's feast ; and that he commaunded 
John Goslyn, his servaunt, one of his executors, to put 
into his will, that all his cloths should be lent yearly to 
the said use, untyll his heir shall come of age ; further 
saying, " yf my heyer prove an honest man, he will do in 
that behalf as I have done.*" 

And, at an assembly on the third of May, 1612, it 
was ordained as follows : — " "Whereas, heretofore, those that 



* Lib. Cur. 



76 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



have been chosen feast-makers have been put to much 
trouble in providing hangings and clothes against the feast, 
commonly called St. George's Feast, to hang the hall; 
agreed, that hereafter, every alderman (except the mayor, 
the new-elect, and the alderman of the feast for the time 
being) shall provide two sufficient cloths or hangings of 
tapestry or arras, each of the shreeves one, and every one 
of the common-council to find one, and shall deliver them 
to the feast-makers for the time, being eight days before 
the said feast ; and, upon delivery, the feast-makers to 
give notes under their hands of the receipt of them, 
and if any of the cloths shall receive damage, shall make 
satisfaction for it." 

There is a room or two on the north side of the hall, 
up a pair of stairs, wherein the grand jury of the city 
meet, and sit at the time of the assizes : at other times 3 
the guardians of the work-house have it, except at the 
time of the guild-feast, when it is used by the feast-makers^ 
if they have occasion. And I take it to be the chamber 
mentioned a. d. 1615, in order of court of the tenth of 
June, in the thirteenth year of James the first, — " That 
the feast-makers for that year should have the use of the 
dynynge-chamber at the new-hall, now used for a granary ; 
and the corn is to be removed into the consistory for four 
or five days." Not only the guild-feast of St. George is 
kept in the hall, but also the feasts of several of the com- 
panies of the city. 

At a court of mayoralty, on the nineteenth of March, 
1627-8, the feast-makers of the Weavers' Company had 
liberty to hold their feast in the new-hall, in the south 
aisle thereof. The said weavers' feast grew at length to be 
almost as sumptuous as that of St. George, and many of the 
best gentry, as well of the county as of the city, were 



IN NORWICH. 



77 



usually invited to it ; till, at length, it was so very expensive, 
that for some years past, it has been wholly left off. 



DAYS OF THE COMPANIES' FEASTS. 

Some of the said companies have, for the ornament of 
the hall, set up their arms in it, by leave of the court of 
mayoralty, which are carved in wood and painted; but 
the principal is that of the worstead-weavers' company, 
very large and fine, in the north-east corner of the hall. 
Besides which, are the arms of the masons, erected in 
1691 ; the carpenters and the joiners, in 1679 ; and it 
would be very commendable in the other companies to 
do the like. In this hall the assizes for the city are yearly 
held ; and courts are built, one at one end, another at the 
other — that at the upper, or east end, is the crown bar ; 
the other, the nisi prius bar. After the assizes are ended, 
those bars are taken away. 

The having an Exchange, or a fixed public place for 
the daily meeting of merchants and tradesmen to discourse 
about their trade, and transact business with one another, 
is so manifestly beneficial and convenient for facilitating 
and advancing trade, that (as well as at London, and some 
other places in England) there is scarce a large trading 
city in foreign parts but has such an exchange ; and this 
new-hall of ours is so well suited for an exchange here, 
being seated in the heart of the city, and so large and 
lofty, that it is a great pity it was not continued to be one, 
when once and again attempted and begun. That an 
exchange had been kept here, a. d. 1652, appears from 
this order of assembly of the twenty-eighth of January, 
1652,3, — " that the payment of four pounds for ringing 
the exchange-bell shall cease from Candlemas next." 



78 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Afterwards, namely, a. d. 1700, it was revived again ; 
for, at a court of mayoralty, on the sixteenth of November, 
1700, it is recorded as follows : namely, — " This day, Mr. 
Thomas Lombe, Mr. John Copping, Mr. Thomas Havers, 
Mr. W. H. Lombe, Mr. Thomas Bell, Mr. Timothy Greene, 
Mr. John Greene, and several other citizens, merchants, 
and tradesmen of this city, made their application to this 
court to have leave for the citizens, merchants, and 
tradesmen of this city to meet at the new-hall of this 
city, as a common and publick exchange, for the better 
promotion of the trade of this city. The time of their 
meeting to begin every week-day at eleven of the clock 
in the forenoon, and so continue till one of the clock in 
the afternoon; which this court, being of opinion it may 
be convenient for promoting the trade of this city, have, as 
much as in them He, consented to and ordered accordingly." 
And, pursuant to this order, an exchange was held here 
about a year, when some persons finding, or supposing it 
detrimental to their private interests, (as all things for 
public good will be to some) and complaining to the 
assembly, it was caused to cease. Of late, there has been 
much discourse of reviving it again, which I hope will be 
effected, and have long continuance. — (Since begun again, 
by order of the assembly, at the request of many merchants 
and tradesmen, a. d. 1725.) 



OF THE STEEPLE. 
The Steeple of the Black-Friars Church stood in the 
midst, between that part which is now the new-hall, and 
the other part, which was their choir, now the Dutch 
church ; a very fine and lofty building, six-cornered, built 
of flint-stone, and beautified with free-stone, with curious 



IN NORWICH. 



79 



carvings of arms and other ornaments within and without ; 
and battlements of free-stone, of open and spired work, 
something like that of St. Andrew's steeple, but much finer. 

At a court of mayoralty, on the sixteenth of May, 
1668, it is mentioned, that the city had lately caused to be 
expended a considerable sum of money upon the repairs 
of the steeple at the new-hall ; and agreed, that a motion 
be made to the Dutch congregation for providing a new 
clock, to be set up therein, at their charge : but, afterwards, 
it fell into decay, and dropt down. 

" The churchyard of the Black Friars in Canterbury," 
(saith Mr. Somner, in his Book of the Antiquities of that 
City, p. 58) " is in part now become the ( Campus Martins) 
artillery-ground for our young artillery-company of the 
city." And, in like manner, the artillery-company of the 
city of Norwich, which was here in the reigns of James 
the first and Charles the first, were used to meet and 
exercise their arms here. 

Also, at an assembly on the tenth of July, 1641, an 
order was made, — <e That the artillery-company shall have 
the lowe roome, and chamber over the same, on the east 
side of the porch of the south side of the newe-hall, for 
the placing and laying their armes for twenty-one years, 
if they continue so long a company, paying twenty shillings 
a year for the same." 

Also, as well the company which was in the reign of 
the late king William the third, which continued not long; 
as also the present artillery-company, which was formed in 
the first year of his present majesty, king George, have 
used the new-hall and green-yard there for the place of 
their meeting and performing their exercises ; and, on 
public days, to meet in the hall, and thence march about 
the city and into the market-place. 



80 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



OF THE LIBRARY. 

There was a design of erecting a Public Library in 
this city, in the reign of Edward the fourth, as appears 
by this legacy, in the will of John Leystofte, vicar of 
St. Stephen's church here, a. d. 1461, namely, — " Item. 
I will that, if a library be begun in Norwich, within two 
years after my decease, I bequeath to the same, my book 
called Repyngton * but whether this was effected or not, 
I cannot tell. However, there is now a library in the 
chambers over the south porch of the new-hall, which was 
founded a. D. 1608, and augmented by the corporation of 
this city, and benefactions of several of the aldermen and 
other gentlemen and clergymen. Hereof, I find this 
order of assembly, of the third of May, 1608 ; namely — 
" Ordered, with the consent of Jerrom Goodwyne, sword- 
bearer, that iij chambers, parcel of his dwellinge-howse, 
which he hath by lease of the cyttie, shal be converted to 
a lybrary for the use of the preachers, and for a lodging- 
chamber for suche preachers as shall come to this cittie, 
to preach on the sabboth-dayes, and at other tymes, in the 
common place, and elsewhere, within this cittie ; where the 
said Jerrom Goodwyn shall fynd beddyng, lynnynge, and 
other necessaries for lodging, for the preachers that so 
shall come, during their abode in the cittie for the intent 
aforesaid : which said romes for the lybrary shal be made 
fytt at the charge of this cittie; and the said Goodwyn 
to allowe one of his servants to attende the preachers. 
In consideration whereof, the said Goodwyne shal be 
allowed yearly the rent which he now payeth, and his 
lease, notwithstanding, to stand good for the terme therein 
expressed." But now, as for many years past, the preachers 



Regist. Brosyard, f. 272. 



IN NORWICH. 



81 



are entertained at a bookseller's, at the charge of the city ; 
but dine with the mayor on the Sunday. 

At an assembly on the twenty-fourth of February, 
1673, 4, at the request of the ministers of this city, their 
monthly meeting in the library of this city is altered from 
the second Monday in every month to the first Tuesday in 
every month. And the chamberlain is to cause the doors 
of the presses in the city library to be taken down, and 
converted to shelves to set books on. 

It is mentioned,, a. d. 1678, that the skeleton of a man 
was given to the city library ; and a workman was ordered 
to be consulted about making a case of deal for it, and to 
know the charge of it.* But it seems it was not made ; 
for there is no skeleton in the library now. The monthly 
meetings of the trustees for the charity-schools in this city, 
are held at the library. 

In one of the rooms next the cloister-yard was kept 
the sealing-ofnce of the crown seal, for the sealing of the 
new commodities, or new draperies, made in this city; 
namely, those sorts of stuffs which were made here by the 
Dutch and Walloons, for which seal a small duty was paid 
by the weavers — which duty the city had a lease of ; for, 
■ - a. d. 1579, was paid to Mr. George Delves and Mr. Fitz- 
Williams, two of her majesties pencioners, for the purchase 
of their letters patent of leas of th'alnage and subsidies 
of the said new commodities, two hundred and eighty 
pounds ; and for charges about it, thirteen pounds thirteen 
shillings : as appears in the treasurer's or clavour's accompts 
of the city." As also, that " there was received by the city, 
of the proufittes of the said alnage and subsidie for the 
new commodities made in this citie, for five yeres, ending 

* Cur 9 January, 1677, 8. 

G 



82 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



on the twenty-second of July, 1585, as by particular ac- 
comptes, yerely taken for the same, viewyd, and yerely 
allowyd by the auditours, dooth appeere, six hundred 
and thirteen pounds nineteen shillings and eleven-pence 
half-penny." And particularly, I find in said accounts that 
there was received of the chamberlain for a remainder, 
upon the foot of his account, (that is, the clear profits, 
I suppose) for the strangers' hall, — 

£. s. d. 

For the year ending at Michaelmas, 1581 .... 208 16 7 

1582 .... 244 19 5 

1583 .... 197 1 4 

And so yearly about two hundred pounds ; but decreased, 
so that for the next two years it was only about one hundred 
and thirty -five pounds each ; and, A. D. 1594, one hundred 
and fifty-nine pounds five shillings and ten-pence was 
received. 

£. s. d. 

A. D. 1614.— The strangers bay and say hall 31 12 2 



1619 41 15 4 

1626 29 1 2 

1628 39 15 6 

1642. 17 14 0 

1643 9 11 0 



A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE SEALS. 
At a court of mayoralty, thirtieth of December, 1615, 
for the business of the crown seal, it is ordered, — " That 
the crown seal shall be put to every cloth for which 
the duties (of subsidy and alnage) are paid; and those 
which are good, and of sufficient length and breadth, 
shall have the Arms of Norwich on the back side, if 
the cloths be made in Norwich. But such as are made 



IN NORWICH. 



83 



in the country, being sufficient, shall have only the Castle 
without the Lion. And for cloths made sufficient by the 
strangers, they shall have the Ship on the back side. 
And for defective cloths, made in Norwich by Englishmen, 
they shall have Norwich in the ring, and the word Defective 
in the midst thereof. And cloths made defective by 
strangers, shall have Alien in the ring, and Defective in 
the midst. And for defective cloths made in the country, 
the seal shall have Norfolk in the ring, and Defective in 
the midst ; and that Daniel Skinner shall perform the 
business of these seals till further order be taken." 

At another court, twenty-fourth of May, 1616, "It 
is thought fit that a lease of the crown seal be taken for 
twenty-one years, if it may be obtained for one hundred 
and forty pounds per annum." 

At a court, eighth of June, 1616, " Daniel Skynner is 
ordered to undertake the collection of the duties for the 
say-hall, without any other fee than the six pounds, which 
he has already for sealing the small wares." 

And at another court, fourth of October, 1616, " com- 
mittees are appointed to consider if it be fit to proceed in 
taking the crown seal to farm, or not. — Daniel Skinner is to 
be allowed for leads, three shillings and four-pence per 
thousand ; and to have so many as he accompteth for 
pieces of clothes ; and also ten pounds per annum for his 
wages. — He has brought in his accompt from the first of 
January to the first of April, amounting to forty pounds 
thirteen shillings and six-pence ; from the first of April to 
the first of July, forty-one pounds eighteen shillings and 
seven-pence ; and from the first of July to the first of 
October, twenty-eight pounds two shillings and eight-pence." 
At the same court, an estimate of the profits of the crown 
seal was made ; for it is noted, that the shopkeepers in 

g 2 



84 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Norfolk and Norwich, and the dornick weavers and hosiers 
have compounded to pay yearly fifty-two pounds eleven 
shillings and ten-pence ; yet some of them have not yet 
compounded. The russett and satten weavers are esteemed 
that they will yield, per annum, four pounds. Lace and 
gartering, statute-lace and fringe, esteemed, per annum, 
six pounds thirteen shillings and four-pence. 

Also of the charges thereupon, namely, — 
The wages of Skynner as is aforesaid £10 0 0 

The collection of the duties from shopkeepers') 

. . 10 0 0 

m the country ) 

The leads will be about 8 0 0 

The collection of the duties in the city 2 0 0 

And it is thought fit by Mr. Mayor and the committees, 
that Mr. Francis Cooke shall be receiver of the crown seal 
and ship seal for one year ; and the city to proceed in 
taking the crown seal to farm. 

A lease of the crown-seal duties was accordingly taken 
of the Duke of Lennox for a term of years, by the city, 
(he having had a grant of them from the crown) for which 
the city was to pay him one hundred and sixty pounds 
per annum.* But it seems they had a hard bargain ; for, 
at a court, on the twentieth of June, 1622, it is ordered, — 

* C. L., f. 227 By indenture, dated the tenth of February, fifteenth 

year of James the first, Lodowik, Duke of Lennox, Earl of Richmond and 
Darnley, &c. : "Whereas the King, by his letters patent and great seal of 
England, dated the thirteenth of April, in the eleventh year of his reign, 
did grant to the said Duke, his executors, administrators, and assigns, 
inter alia, for a term of years, — All that the subsedy and alnage, and 
farm of the subsedy and alnage, of all vendible and saleable cloth and 
cloths, halfe cloths, and pieces of cloth, kersyes, bayes, sayes, stuffs, dra- 
peries, and commodities whatsoever, made of wooll, part of wooll, cotton- 
wooll, &c, as well of the old as new draperies, made, sent, or offered to 
sale within the city of Norwich, and all places whatsoever within the 



IN NORWICH. 



85 



<( that the Duke of Lennox be desired to abate of the term 
of the crown seal, because the city had loss by it ; otherwise, 
it is thought fit that the lease shall be surrendered." 

At the court, fourteenth of May, 1623, an order was 
made, " that James Odent shall have the rooms at the new- 
hall, late in the use of Michael Coal, and the use of the well 
there, paying twenty shillings per annum, and doing all 
such business as the said Michael Coal there did in behalf 
of this city and the Dutch congregation, and he to receive 
such duties, &c. ; and shall also collect all such sums 
of money as shall be due to this city, for sealing of 
sayes with the ship-seal ; and shall pay over those moneys 
received to the treasurer and receiver of those duties for 
the time being, to the use of this city." 

The crown-seal-omce was kept here till A. d. 1700, 
when, by especial labour of Mr. Thomas Lombe, the said 
sealing of stuffs ceased ; and an agreement was made to 
pay eighty pounds per annum to the proprietors of that 
duty, which is raised amongst the weavers yearly, by 
which much trouble is saved, which they before had in 
sending their pieces to be sealed, &c. 

county of Norfolk ; with the moiety of all such forfeitures and sums of 
money as should happen to be forfeited, touching the aforesaid cloths, &c. 

" This indenture witnesseth, that the said Duke doth grant and so 
farm-let unto the mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty of the city 
of Norwich, all the aforesaid subsedy and alnage, &c, of cloths, &c, 
made in Norwich, and in the part of Thetford in Suffolk, for eight years, 
at one hundred and sixty pounds per annum." 

The mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty, on the eighth of 
January, 1618, in the sixteenth year of James the first, appointed Samuel 
Mann, their deputy, for the searching and sealing of all manner of stuffs, 
dornick draperies, &c, within the city of Norwich, and county of the same 
city, with the seal called the ship-seal, and with the seal called the crown- seal, 
or the alnager's seal, &c. 



86 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



I have also met with mention of a duty, which was 
paid the city, and called the dyers' seal, whereof, in the 
treasurer's accompt, a. d. 1583, — " Receyved of William 
Syer, for one yere's profyttes of the dyers' seal, endid at 
Crouchemas last, fourteen pounds thirteen shillings and 
ten-pence and the next year, sixteen pounds eleven 
shillings. — But I find nothing after. This money, pro- 
bably, did arise from the fines, (and perhaps some small 
duty paid for sealing) which were appointed by a clause, 
inserted in the "lawes for the arte of diers," made at an 
assembly on the sixteenth of July, in the sixteenth year 
of Elizabeth, namely, — " Three of the straungers, with two 
of the Inglishe dyers, shall have the este end of the 
cloyster appoynted unto the said five men, as wardens and 
serchers for their serche — and it shall be for ther hawle ; 
and they to be sworn before the mayor, to give attendance 
at the said hall, namely, in wynter and somer tyme, three 
days in the weke, in the forenoon, whither the commodities 
of playne mocadoes, grograynes, carrells or white tufts, &c, 
shall be brought by the makers or dyers, or their servants, 
to be serched; and, if found defective, they shall be 
fined," &c * 

I have also met with these further notes concerning 
sealing-halls here, namely, — 

At a court of mayoralty on the fourth of June, 1686, 
" the bay-hall under the say-hall, at the new-hall, shall be 
used by the wardens of the russet company, so long as 
there shall be necessary occasion to do ; and the room is 
to be emptied against Wednesday next, and warning is to be 
given to Ferdinando Hone to that purpose." At a court 
on the twenty-seventh of April, 1644, an order was made, 

* See more among the Orders for the Straungers' Hawles, 
under the years 1571 and 1607. 



IN NORWICH. 



87 



" that Sir Richard Barney, baronet, shall have a great 
chamber, parcel of the new-hall, over the French sealing- 
hall, next Arnold's, for a corn-granary for three years, at 
forty shillings per annum." 

At another court of mayoralty, on the twenty-ninth 
of October, 1664, a committee was appointed to view that 
part of the new-hall, which was formerly the bays seal- 
ing-hall, and to report the fitness of it ; and what charge 
it will be to make it fit for the girls' hospital. 

The sealing-hall of the worstead weavers' company, 
in the north-east angle of the cloyster, continued to be 
used till a. d. * * *, when some person broke in, and stole 
away all their stamps and books, &c. 

OF THE CORN-STOCK. 
According to the allegations made use of by the city, 
in their petition to king Henry the eighth, there were 
granaries made in the chambers belonging to the late 
black-friars, where corn was laid up against a dear time, 
to be then sold out cheap for the benefit of the poor. 
And I find that, in the thirty-sixth year of the said 
king's reign, the chamberlains of the city, by order of 

assembly, bought three hundred coombs of wheat, at 

per coomb, " to be sold to the pore people of the city, in 
help of the market, for the realeff of the said pore ;" for the 
payment whereof, thirty-nine pounds thirteen shillings and 
four -pence was received by the chamberlains, out of the 
hamper of the Guildhall. — I suppose in the treasury. The 
said wheat was sold out again, in the market, at five 
shillings, and at five shillings and four-pence the coomb.* 



*Lib. Cong. C, f. 188 — 36 Hen. vm. ; and Comp. Corner 35 Hen. vm. 



88 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Also, in the third year of Edward the sixth, " whete 
sold to the poore inhabytans of the cyte, in the market, 
by the half-bushell, betwixt the first of March and the 
first of June, one hundred and eleven coombs, at six 
shillings the coomb — thirty -three pounds six shillings ; and 
from the first of June to Myhelmes, eighty-nine co.ombs, 
at six shillings and eight-pence — twenty-nine pounds thir- 
teen shillings and four-pence." Much more was sold to the 
bakers ; so that in all, was sold this year, three hundred 
and eighty-one coombs, for one hundred and fifty-four 
pounds eighteen shillings, which cost one hundred and 
sixty-four pounds ten shillings and four-pence. Also, 
white rye, the same year : one hundred and ten coombs 
sold for thirty-one pounds thirteen shillings and nine- 
pence, which cost thirty-eight pounds. — The loss was borne 
by the commonalty, except four pounds thirteen shillings 
and four -pence, given towards it by four persons.* 

And, in the fifth year of Edward the sixth, at an 
assembly on the thirteenth of April, sixteen score coombs 
of rye, being come to the common stathe, from beyond 
the sea, for the provision of the citty, (which was bought 
in Flanders by Richard Bate, at the request of Mr. Mayor 
and the aldermen) hereupon four aldermen and ten com- 
moners are appointed to assess how much every citizen 
shall receive of the said rye. Every alderman is to have 
five coombs ; and they who refuse their order, to forfeit 
for every coomb three shillings and four-pence to the poor. 
The same year, " bredde was ordered to be baken of the 
common store of the cittie, of the grayne at the common 
halle, for the poor people, to be solde them." But it seems 
that, before the above-said corn came from Flanders, the 
price here was fallen. 

* Cornp. Camer 3 Edward vi. 



IN NORWICH. 



89 



At an assembly on the Eve of St. Laurence, the fourth 
and fifth years of Philip and Mary, this order was made : — 
" Whereas, there doth belong and remayne to Mr. Mayor, 
shreves, and commonalty of the cittye, a stokke of corne, 
and money to provyde and bye corn, from tyme to tyme, 
for the provision of the cittye, to be put to sale agayn in 
the market to the poore, as occasion requyrith in tyme 
of necessytie ; it is now ordeyned, that Mr. Thomas Bemond 
shall have the hooll order of the said stokke yerely, yelden 
an account thereof; and he and his depute shall have 
yerely for his fee, forty shillings." 

At an assembly, in the second year of Elizabeth, a 
treasury is appointed of the corn-stock : — Mr. John Aldriche, 
alderman, and two others, are appointed treasurers, each 
of them to have a key ; and if they suffer any parcel of 
the money to be employed about other business of the city, 
they are to forfeit so much. 

Note. — Two surveyors of the grain were yearly chosen, 
one alderman and one commoner, for many years after, 
by the assembly. By the account of Thomas Pecke and 
Thomas Layer, aldermen, " of and for all suche corne and 
mony as do apperteyne, and ys belongyng to the stock of 
corne within the cittie of Norwiche, from the fifteenth of 
May, 1568, to the twentieth of May, 1569, it appears that, 
at the determination of the last accompt, the stock of 
wheat in the granaryes and in dyverse men's hands, was 
twenty-nine score, five coombs, three bushels (that is, five 
hundred and eighty-five coombs, three bushels) — rye, four 
score, thirteen coombs, three bushels, one peck (ninety- 
three coombs, three bushels, one peck) — mestelyn, thirty-five 
coombs — and in money, one hundred and eighteen pounds 
nineteen shillings and two-pence. 

N. B. — Wheat was then selling at six shillings and 
eight-pence per coomb, and rye at five shillings. 



90 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



It appears also, in the said account, that Mr. Thomas 
Graye, alderman, had bequeathed to this stock, six pounds 
thirteen shillings and four-pence ; and Mr. William Mvngaye, 
twenty coombs of wheat — both which were not then paid. 

At another assembly, a. d. 1576, agreed, " that there 
shall be a chiste bought and prepared for the grayne-stock; 
and the money that belong to the same stock to be always 
kept in the same chiste, which chist shall remayne in the 
treasury." 

At a court of mayoralty on the thirtieth of August, in 
the twenty-third year of Elizabeth, " Mr. Mayor called the 
bakers of this citie before him, and hath appoynted them 
to take of the cities store, eight score coombs of wheat at 
eleven shillings, and sixty -four coombs of rye at six 
shillings and eight-pence the coomb." 

At an assembly on the twentieth of January, in the 
thirty-seventh year of Elizabeth, ordered, a that three 
hundred and eighteen pounds be delyverd out of the corn- 
stock, to buy rye at Danske, for the provision of the citie." 

At a court of mayoralty on the twentieth of January, 
in the forty-first year of Elizabeth, a letter of deputation 
was made to William Chambers of Reach, and Ralph, his 
brother, to buy and provide for the city, the quantity of 
three hundred and twenty coombs of wheat, according 
to the counsel's letters. 

At another court on the seventh of February, in 
the forty-first year of Elizabeth, the bakers, aliens, were 
ordered to buy their corn at the new-hall granary only, 
till further orders. 

A. D. 1614. — The city corn was baked, and sold out 
of the granary ; and at a court on the fourth of May, it is 
noted, that the four-penny wheat loaf of bread, baked at 
the new-hall, weighed sixty-eight and a half ounces, and 



IN NORWICH. 



91 



the two-penny loaf, thirty-four ounces : and so, several 
weeks after, the weight is noted ; and also to 1616. 

At a court of mayoralty on the second of July, 1631, 
"thought fit that Mr. Tompson and Mr. Gooch shall give to 
Mr. William Gostlin, (surveyor of the granary) for all the 
corn in the granary, after the rate of thirty shillings for 
wheat ; for rye, twenty-five shillings the coomb ; and for 
barley, sixteen shillings the coomb. And the said Mr. 
Tompson and Mr. Gooch shall sell the corn in the granary 
in this manner, namely, — thirty-three coombs a week to 
such (poor) persons as the aldermen shall appoint; one 
part wheat, one part rye, and one part barley, at sixteen 
shillings the coomb." 

A. D. 1635. — Two hundred pounds of the corn-stock 
was laid into the treasury, sealed up by Mr. William Gostlin, 
alderman, treasurer of the said stock : the same was remain- 
ing there in 1640 ; and was paid to the said Alderman 
Gostlin, the twenty-second of February, 1641.* 

Also, at a court on the twelfth of December, 1646, 
ordered, " that the treasurers of the corn-stock shall, from 
henceforth, sell meslyn, two-thirds rye, and one-third wheat, 
at three shillings and eight-pence a bushell : but no bare 
rye or wheat, till further order." And it is ordered, on 
the twenty-eighth of December, " that the meslyn shall be 
sold at three shillings and four-pence the bushel, and wheat 
at nineteen shillings the coomb." 

At another court, on the twenty-second of July, 1648, 
ordered, that " the clavours shall receive one hundred and 
fifty pounds, part of the moneys belonging to the corn- 
stock, and lay the same into the treasury, att the request of 
Mr. Page, one of the treasurers of the said stock," which 
was paid in accordingly, on the twenty-fourth of July, 
1648 ; and on the eighteenth of November, ordered, " that 
* Lib. Clav. 



92 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Mr. Page lay in forty coombs of rye into the granary, at 
twenty-one pounds a score, and to be sold to the poor. 

It seems most part of the stock was made use of in 
the time of the civil wars, for military occasions; and 
therefore, in order to raise another, it is mentioned that, 
at a court of mayoralty, on the thirteenth of October, 1655, 
" Mr. Joseph Payne doth promise to lend twenty pounds, 
for five years, towards a corn-stock ; Mr. John Man doth 
likewise promise twenty pounds ; Mr. William Barnham, 
twenty pounds ; Mr. Barnard Church, twenty pounds ; and 
Mr. Thomas Ashwell, ten pounds, for the like time :" and, 
in 1657, the granary was repaired, and a new roof set 
upon it.* 

And, at a court on the eighteenth of February, 1664, 5, 
" Mr. Robert Bosse, of St. John's at Tymberhill, sent up to 
the court, by the hands of Mr. Sheriff Chickering, ten 
pounds, which he desired should be added to the corn- 
stock of this city, as his free gift." 

At a court on the twenty-seventh of August, 1666, 
one hundred pounds, belonging to the corn-stock, was lent, 
to be used for the infected poor — the same to be repaid. 

And at a court on the second of June, 1669, it is 
mentioned, " that all the corn in the granary was sold now 
to Daniel Winter, which comes to two hundred and two 
pounds one shilling and eight-pence." 

Twelve pounds were paid into the hamper for the 
poor, being two years' interest of the corn-stock.* 

Mr. Alderman Warkhouse paid into the hamper, 
seven pounds ten shillings for a year's interest of one 
hundred and fifty pounds of the corn-stock money, due at 
Michaelmas last.* 

* Cur 5 Sept., 1657. f Cur 19 Nov., 1681. \ Cur.— HJune, 1695, 



IN NORWICH. 



93 



The increase of tillage has made such stock less ser- 
viceable than formerly, when dearths frequently happened, 
which, for many years, we have known nothing of in 
England. 



BENEFACTORS TO THE CORN-STOCK. 

Mr. William Castylton, the last prior, and first dean 
of the cathedral chnrch of Norwich, by his last will, 
bequeathed, " for a stock of corn to contynew for ever, one 
hundred quartours of goode wheate to be laid in the 
chambers at the new-hall ; and then the poor folks, when 
wheat is deare in the market, that they may have under 
the price of the market, and at the discrecion of the mayor 
and aldermen for the time being,*" &c. 

At a court on the fourteenth of December, in the 
third year of Edward the sixth, John Reve of Norwich, 
mercer, his executor, gave security for delivering the said 
wheat ; for which he had an acquittance, at an assembly on 
the fifteenth of February, in the eighth year of Elizabeth.f 
Mr. Edmund Wood, alderman, about a. d. 1548, 
bequeathed for provision of wheat, forty pounds. 

Thomas Graye, alderman, about 1557, bequeathed 
to the granary of the common-hall, for relief of the 
poor in time of dearth, six pounds thirteen sliillings and 
four-pence. + 

Mr. Thomas Codd, alderman, bequeathed twenty 
pounds towards the building of the new granary, which was 
paid by Thomas Peck, alderman, and Thomas Layer.§ 



* Lib. Bene/. Civit. f Cong.— 26 Sept., 1 Mary. 
\ Lib. Bene/. § Comp. Camer 7 Elizabeth. 



94 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Mrs. Katheryn Rogers, widow of William Rogers, 
alderman, gave " one hundred marks towards the buying of 
grayne, to be solde ageyn to the poor within the citie of 
Norwich, at reasonable rates paid.* " 

Mr. Thomas Parker, alderman, about a. d. 1569, 
bequeathed " to this augmentacion of the corne-stocke, 
ten coombes of wheat, or else in money three pounds six 
shillings and eight-pence. f " 

Mr. William Ferrour, alderman, bequeathed to the 
stock of the grain, five pounds, about a. d. 1577, which 
was paid on the twenty-fifth of January, in the twenty- 
third year of Elizabeth, by Richard Ferrour, his son and 
executor.^ 

Mr. Nicholas Layer, alderman, about a. d. 1596, be- 
queathed for the increasing of the grain-stock, five 
pounds, which was paid by Mr. Thomas Layer, his 
executor, on the thirteenth of June, 1599.§ 

The interest of the corn-stock has been for many years 
paid by the chamberlain, and distributed to the poor of the 
city by the several aldermen. 



OF THE MEETING-HOUSES OF DISSENTERS HERE. 
After the granaries were disused from being store- 
houses of corn, and king Charles the second had granted 
indulgence to dissenters to hold their meetings public, 
the Presbyterians had a granary on the east side of the 
cloister-yard, and the Independents one on the west side, 
to meet in for performance of their worship. It is 
noted, at a court of mayoralty on the twenty-seventh 
of November, 167£, that the officers of the Independent 

* Congr — 25 April, 3 Elizabeth. f Lib. Bene/, 
jf Cur — 25 January, 23 Elizabeth. § Lib. Bene/. 



IN NORWICH. 



95 



congregation in the new-hall brought in twenty-five shil- 
lings and four-pence, collected there for the relief of one 
Cotton's child, &c. ; also, three pounds eleven shillings 
and eight-pence farthing was brought in by the officers of 
the Presbyterian congregation at the other granary. 

After the Presbyterians and Independents had built 
meeting-houses on the other side of the water, the Anabaptists 
had, till late years, the use of the granary on the east side 
of the yard ; and a few years ago, for some time, one part 
of the Independents had again the other on the west 
side, which had been the Romish chapel, namely, during 
the time of some differences that were in their congrega- 
tion about choosing a minister : but now they all meet 
again at their own meeting-house. 



OF THE WORK-HOUSE HERE. 

The governor and corporation of the Work-house, 
lately established in this city by act of parliament, have 
hired of the city, by lease, several of the rooms belonging 
to the said late monastery of the black-friars, wherein 
some people are set to work, and provision is made for 
employing more of them. Something like this was in- 
tended to be done about a hundred years ago ; for I have 
met with these orders of the court of mayoralty, namely, — 

" The tenth of November, 1625.— The aldermen of 
every ward are desired to consider of a fitting man in every 
ward, to take upon him the setting of poor people on 
work, who cannot set themselves on work ; and to see to 
the performance of the same work, and to fetch and 
carry the same. 

" The twelfth of November. — The great kitchen at the 
new-hall is appointed a place to set the poor on work in. 



96 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" The second of December. — Beggars, able to work, 
to be punished." 

Part of the black-friars' precinct is in St. Peter's 
Hungate, and the rest at St. Andrew's parish* 

OF THE SACK FRIARS. 

Before I proceed to the account of the other orders 
of friars, I shall mention that of the friars of the penance, 
(de penitentia) or repentance of Jesus Christ, or Sack Friars, 
because they had the place in Norwich where the black- 
friars afterwards made that second monastery, as before 
has been touched. 

A. D. 1251. — The order of the friars of the penance 
was instituted at Marseilles, in France.f 

A.D. 1257. — The said new order appeared in London, 
of friars unknown, and not seen before, who, because they 
went clothed in sacks, were called fratres saccati, or sack- 
friars. And so many orders were then sprung up, that 
there seemed to be a confusion of orders, so that these 
supplanted those ; and, on the contrary, they them again. 
Nor were the people able, as they had been used, to 
support them with alms.+ 

The fratres de sacco, or sack-friars, gathered together 
many and good scholars at Cambridge ; and were very 



* Memorandum Upon a controversy in the bishop's court, between 

the parishes of St. Peter of Hungate and St. Andrew, concerning the inha- 
bitants of the dissolved black-friars, it was decreed on the twenty-fifth of 
January, 1619, — " That Richard Mann and all his family, and future inha- 
bitants of the house he built there, and all other inhabitants of the houses 
on the east side of the said monastery northward, should belong to St. 

Peter Hungate. Henry Woods and nine others, named to St. Andrew's 

Lib. Cur. Consistor. 

f Chron. Calvis. \ M. Paris, and Bale, Cent, 4: 26. ex eo. 



IN NORWICH 



97 



much multiplied, until the council of Lyons, wherein the 
Roman Pontiff decreed, that the mendicant friars should 
not for future receive any persons to their order, excepting 
the preachers, minors, and carmelites ; and, if they would, 
he gave them licence to enter into religiones laxiores, less 
strict orders. From that time, all the mendicant friars 
began to decrease from day to day, and were reduced to 
nothing, the preachers excepted.* 

Within a few years after that these sack friars came 
into England, some of them came to Norwich, and settled 
themselves in the parish of St. Peter of Hungate, in a 
house next the river, which was given them by Mr. William 
de Gissinge, clerk, whereupon certain articles were agreed 
on and indented between them and the rector of St. Peter's 
church, a. d. 1275, of the following tenor : — 

" To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church, who shall 
see or hear this present writing, Symon, rector of the 
church of St. Peter of Hundegate, in Norwich, greeting, 
in the Author of Health, — being desirous to augment divine 
worship, I will that it come to your knowledge, that I 
have granted, and by this my present charter confirmed 
and entirely quit-claimed to the friars of the penance of 
Jesus Christ, dwelling in my parish, and to their succes- 
sors for me, and my successors for ever, by the will and 
express assent of the dean and chapter of the church of 
St. Mary in the Fields, that it may freely be lawful to 
them into that ground, which they have of {ex collatione) 
the gift of Mr. William de Gissinghe, clerk, which lies in 
the before-mentioned parish of St. Peter of Hundegate, 
or other grounds whatsoever, to the aforesaid grounds adja- 
cent, which they can purchase in the aforesaid parish of 
the gift or grant, of any person whatsoever, to enter and 

* L. Col, ell., p. 633, ex Libro Bernewell Ccenob. 

H 



98 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



to retain freely, without the contradiction of any person. 
So nevertheless, that when it shall happen that the said 
friars shall by gift, purchase, or the grant of any person, 
enlarge their place in the said parish, there shall be chosen 
four (viri fide digni) men of reputation, on the part of the 
said friars and on our part, according to whose arbitration 
the said friars shall keep the said church of St. Peter of 
Hundegate indemnified. And moreover, in the same pa- 
rish, to erect an oratory, or monastery, and steeple, and 
solemnly to celebrate divine service there, and to ring 
bells, and to have sepulture, and to bury there regular 
and secular persons, the parishioners of the said church 
excepted, unless they shall choose to be there buried ; 
and to do and exercise all other things there, which can 
or are known to belong to a free oratory or monastery, 
without the contradiction of me, or of my successors, 
without all claim, demand, or exaction against the said 
friars, by reason of oblations, tithes, or any other profits 
whatsoever, arising from the said grounds, which now or 
in time to come may belong to us by any manner of law 
{jure), reserving or retaining to us no parochial right in the 
abovesaid grounds, by occasion of the before-mentioned 
church of St. Peter ; and without any exaction or moles- 
tation, which, by the common or parochial law, might 
competently be done or moved. This being expressly 
(acto) agreed, that it shall not be lawful for the said friars 
to admit the parishioners of the aforesaid church to the 
ecclesiastical sacraments, nor to administer the same sacra- 
ments to them ; but, lest that the said donations and 
grants should seem to infer the (dispendiimi) expence of 
an alienation injurious to us and our successors, and also 
to the said church, therefore, that the said church may the 
better be provided for, and the indemnity thereof the more 
fully be consulted, the aforesaid friars have caused to be 



IN NORWICH. 



99 



assigned to the before-named church, and to every rector 
of the same church, three shillings of yearly rent to be 
received, namely, out of a certain messuage with its 
appurtenances, which Ralph de Couteshale, tanner, holds 
in Norwich, in the parish of St. Edmund of Fisseregate, 
which is between the void ground which Agnes Herman 
holds in the name of Dowry, whose south head abuts on 
the king's way ; as in the charter of feoffment thereupon 
made, (the copy of which, signed without seal, remains 
with the said friars) is more fully contained. 

" And also, the said friars have given to the before- 
mentioned rector, two marks of silver, for purchasing a 
rent of two shillings, to the use of the said church. But, 
that the aforesaid grant may be maintained in the greater 
force, we have procured the present grant to be confirmed 
by the venerable father, Roger, by the grace of God, 
Bishop of Norwich. In testimony of which things to this 
present writing, made in the manner of a chirograph, 
whereof the one part remains with the said friars, we have 
affixed our seals ; and the prior of the said friars to the 
part which remains with us, hath affixed his seal. These 
being witnesses : — Mr. Godfrey le Gros, then official of 
the consistory of Norwich J Mr. William de St. Faith's; 
William Payn ; Henry de Norwich, clerk ; Roger de 
Swerdestone and Adam le Especer, then bailiffs of Nor- 
wich ; William de Dunwich, William le Cant, Hugh the 
Tonsor, Roger de Rising, William Picoth, Geffrey the 
Tyler, John Bate, John le Leyner, William Basrun, Ni- 
cholas de Heleython, Roger the Clerk, and others. Done 
at Norwich, in the month of May, m. cc. lxxi. 

Seal of the said Rector ; 

Seal of Chapplyfield Cottage ; and 

Seal of the said Bishop* " 

* Autograph, in Guildhall. h 2 



100 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



But, by another deed, it appears that these friars were 
seated here about four years before, namely, in some house or 
houses adjacent, in St. Andrew's parish; on which account, 
William de Dunwich granted a rent of four shillings yearly 
to the rector of St. Andrew's church, and his successors 
and their assigns for ever, for the indemnity of the 
same church, payable out of a messuage in Newport, 
which Henry, the son of Alane le Cordewainer, then 
held, abutting on the king's way south. The said deed 
begins thus : — 

" To all the Sons of Holy Mother Church, who shall 
see or hear the present writing ; Geffrey, called Le Brim, 
rector of the church of St. Andrew and St. Christopher, 
in Norwich, greeting, in the Author of Salvation. Know 
ye all, that I have inspected a charter of Williain de 
Dunewico, and Katherine his wife, in these words : Know 
all men present and to come, that I, William de Dunewico, 
and Katherine my wife, by unanimous assent, have granted 
and given, and by this our present charter confirmed, 
{caritatis intuitu) in way of charity, to the rector of the 
church of St. Andrew of Norwich, for the indemnity of 
the same church, four shillings, &c, as before mentioned ; 
to be paid by twelve-pence a? each of the four terms of 
the year." 

The witnesses are A. de Toftes, N. de Ely, Roger de 
Swerdestone, and N. de Eston, then bailiffs of Norwich (who 
were bailiffs in a. d. 1267), Peter Butt, William Picot, &c. 

And then it concludes thus : — " But this charter, or 
deed, remaining with the friars of the Order of the Penance 
of Jesus Christ, I have sealed with my seal (signo meo 
signavi), the aforesaid witnesses being present."* 

I have seen a piece of the instrument of formal 

* Autograph, in Guildhall. 



IN NORWICH. 



101 



composition made the same year with them by the rec- 
tor of St. Andrew and St. Christopher, in manner of 
the foregoing, for St. Peter of Hundgate ; and the whole 
compensation was nine shillings per annum, namely, five 
shillings out of one messuage, and four shillings out of the 
other. — It is impaired by wet, &c, and half lost* 

And, in a few years, these friars obtained by gift or 
purchase, several other messuages and tenements adjoining, 
in the said parishes of St. Peter and St. Andrew, especially 
in the latter; so that at length, they had about half of 
that checker of building which afterwards the black friars 
had, and now belongs to the new -hall as aforesaid; 
namely, all that part of it which lay between the river 
north and a lane south, which, in old time, ran through 
the midst of the checker from east to west, saving a 
tenement and stathe at the north-west corner, near 
black-friars' bridge, which afterwards was purchased by 
the friars last mentioned. 

The messuage which lay next this tenement towards 
the south, was the last acquisition of the friars of the 
penance, so far as I can find. For, a. d. 1285, John de 
Vallibus, son of Oliver de Vallibus, granted to God and 
to the Church of Blessed Mary, and to the Friars of the 
Repentance of Jesus Christ, in the parish of St. Andrew, 
of Norwich, there serving God, and to their successors, in 
perpetual alms, for the health of his soul and of the souls 
of his successors, one messuage with its appurtenances, 
lying between the (jdomiciHuiri) mansion of the said friars 
towards the east, and king's way, which leads (apud) 
by Newbrigge, in part and in parcel of the tenement of 
William Butt (ut patet in priore Carta) west ; one head 

* Autograph, in Guildhall. 



102 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



whereof abutts on the tenement of the aforesaid friars 
south, and the other head upon the king's river, in part 
and in parcel of the said tenement of William Butt, north — - 
to have and to hold of him and his heirs, &c., in perpetual 
alms for ever, paying yearly to him and his heirs, one rose, 
at the Feast of St. John the Baptist ; and to the landgable 
of our lord the king, one half-penny, for all services, &c. 
Witnesses, P. de Pagrave, R. de Tudenham, William Knot, 
and William de Ref ham, then bailiffs of Norwich, William 
de Rollesby, Roger de Wyleby, WilliamPage, &c. — The seal 
is an escutcheon, cheeky. 

By the said deed, it appears that the church of the 
said friars was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

But these friars going quickly to decay, William, de 
Hoo, who, it seems, was their prior, or rather the only 
friar of them then remaining, regranted this messuage to 
the Lady Petronilla de Nerford, daughter of the said 
Sir John de Vallibus, and she thereupon granted it to him 
during such time as he should live there : afterwards, she 
granted it to the friars preachers, which was confirmed to 
them by William Ros de Hamalec, and Maud his wife, 
(probably another daughter) as appears by the following 
extracts of the deeds : — " I, William de Hoo, Friar of the 
Penance of Jesus Christ, have granted, &c, and for ever 
quit-claimed to the Lady Petronilla de Nerford, her heirs 
and assigns, all the tenements, with buildings, stathes, 
and all their appurtenances, which Sir John de Vallibus 
granted to me, and to my fellow friars serving God in the 
said order, so that neither I, nor any one in my name, 
nor by me, nor for me, any right, title, &c, shall be able 
to claim in the premises from henceforth for ever. 

" Dated at Norwich, on the Monday next after the 
Feast of All- Saints, in the first year of king Edward, the 
son of king Edward." 



IN NORWICH. 



103 



Seal : St. Edmund the king, bound to a tree and shot 
full of arrows, circumscribed " S. Prion's Ordinis Frm. de 
pnia, Ihu x 1 de Norwic. 

" A convention, made between the Lady Petronilla de 
Nerford, on the one part, and William de Hoo, Friar of 
the Penance of Jesus Christ, on the other part. The said 
Petronilla hath granted, delivered, and demised to the 
said Friar William, all those tenements aforesaid, to have 
and to hold so long as he shall dwell in that habitation ; 
so that, after the decease or departure of the said Friar 
William from the habitation aforesaid, the aforesaid tene- 
ments may remain to the said lady, her heirs and assigns 
for ever." This is dated at Norwich, on the Saturday after 
the Feast of St. Andrew, in the year aforesaid. 

Seal, imperfect : seems to be a lion rampant 

" We, William de Ros de Hamelac, and Matilda my 
wife, have granted, and from us and our heirs for ever 
quit-claimed to God and Blessed Mary, and to the Friars 
Preachers of Norwich, there serving God, all that tene- 
ment, &c, as before. 

" Dated at Penteneye, on the Monday next after the 
Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, in the year aforesaid."* 

Seal : three water bougets, of old form. 

" I, Petronilla de Nerford, daughter of Sir John de 
Vallibus, in my pure widowhood, for me and my heirs for 
ever, have granted and quit-claimed to God and Blessed 
Mary, and to the Friars Preachers of Norwich, there 
serving God, all that tenement which the Friars of the 
Penance of Jesus Christ some time held of the said 
Sir John de Vallibus, to have and to hold to the said 
friars preachers and their successors in pure and perpetual 
alms for ever. 

* 2 Edward n. 



104 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" Dated the Sunday next after trie Feast of St. Mark 
the Evangelist, in the second year of king Edward, the son 
of king Edward." 

The witnesses to the aforesaid last two deeds, are Sir 
William de Kerdistone, Sir Reginald le Gros, Sir Thomas 
Bardolf, knights ; Robert de Welholm, William Butt, John 
de Gonthorp, and Henry de Heylisdone. 

All the rest of the buildings and monastery of the 
sack-friars was, about the same time, granted to the friars 
preachers, as has been before noted : therefore, now let 
us pass to another order. 

OF THE GREY FRIARS. 

These friars came first into England about a. d. 1219, 
when Francis, their founder, sent one Friar Agnetus de 
Pisa and others hither, to spread his sect.* 

The Grey Friars came first to inhabit in Norwich, 
a. d. 1226, having made their first appearance in England 
the same year, according to Bale, or two years before, as 
Leland hath it. These were so called from the colour of 
their habit, but were also named Friars Minors , Grey Friars, 
Menours, Mynours, (or Minorites) and Franciscans. The 
account which the Popish writers give of their original, is 
briefly this, namely, " That a. d. 1203, Francis (Seraphicus) 
the Seraphic, an Italian, born at Assisium, a city of the 
Umbrians, a disciple of John the Good, a man truly divine, 
and father and captain of the Minorites, this year, de- 
spising altogether earthly things, followed Christ in all his 
life ; for when he had received the habit of religion from 
the said John the Good, he presently constituted a new 
order, and, as we may say, (says the friar) a celestial form 
of life, whereby, as the sun shining on the world, he 

* Antiquities of English Franciscans, printed a. d. 1726, p. 5. 



IN NORWICH. 



105 



greatly illuminated the Christian religion : also, he, with 
his friars, published a new Rule for the Articles of Faith. 
He was marked with the wounds of Christ, and com- 
posed a certain book, which he entitled the e Short Testa- 
ment? In 1224, Pope Honorius, on the third kalends 
of December, (difficittime tandem) with much difficulty, 
at length approved and confirmed the Order of the 
Minors. For the ancient enemy had known that this 
order would be very much to the profit of the church of 
God, and therefore he greatly resisted it, and laboured 
to bring it to nought. For whereas this order sprung as 
a river from Father Augustine, a most excellent fountain, 
as I may call him, I judge, says my author, that it may 
deservedly be compared with the river Euphrates ; for 
the river Euphrates denotes fruitful, and most worthy of 
remembrance among the other rivers of the world ; and so 
this order, although amongst the mendicants, as Euphrates 
among the four rivers of paradise, is reckoned the last, 
nevertheless, both in number and (fructu plurimo) great 
profit, is accounted memorable and famous." 

The said Francis died a. d. 1227, at Assisium ; and 
two years afterward, Pope Gregory the ninth, having heard 
of his frequent miracles, enrolled him in the number of 
the holy confessors, says the friar, my author.* 

This, the subtle Francis, if you please to believe it, 
knew long before hand. For in the Legenda aurea before 
cited, fol. 112, 113, and 114, we have the lying history of 
him; in the beginning of which we are told, — that Francis, 
with many others, being upon a time taken and put in 
a streight prison by the Perusians, they lamented it, but 
he alone rejoiced ; and that, being thereupon rebuked by 
his fellow captives, he answered, " know ye that, therefore, 

* Supplementum Supplementi Chronicarum. 



108 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

I rejoice, because I shall hereafter be adored throughout 
the whole world." 

Many other strange things you find there storied of 
him ; as that, upon his entering into the church of St. 
Damian to pray, the image of Christ miraculously spoke 
to him, saying, " Francis, repair earnestly my house, which, 
as thou seest, is all destroyed." From that very hour his 
soul was melted, and a compassion for the crucifix was 
wonderfully fixed in his heart. 

He loved poverty so much in himself and in others, 
that he always called poverty his lady. But when he saw 
any person poorer than himself, he presently envied him, 
and feared to be overcome or outdone by him. 

And that the devil sent him a great temptation of the 
flesh, which the man of God perceiving, he put off his 
clothes, and beat himself with an exceeding hard cord, 
saying, " Ah, brother ass ! so it becomes thee to remain ; so 
to submit to the rod." But the temptation not removing, 
he ran out of the house, and threw himself naked into the 
snow ; and having made seven snow-balls, he began thus 
to speak to his body : — " See," says he, " this biggest is 
thy wife ; four are thy two sons and two daughters ; and 
the other two are thy man and thy maid : make haste, 
therefore, and clothe them all, for they die with cold." 
Presently the devil, being confounded, departed ; and the 
man of God returned to his cell. 

Another time, the devils came by night and whipped 
him most grievously. Another time, the servant of God 
saw in a vision the crucifix above the seraphim, who im- 
printed the marks of his crucifixion so evidently upon 
him, that he also seemed to be a crucifix ; for his hands, 
and feet, and side were marked with the sign of the Cross. 
But he concealed those marks diligently from the eyes of 



IN NORWICH. 



107 



men, yet some saw them whilst he was alive ; but, in his 
death, many : and that they were true marks or wounds, 
is shewn by many miracles. 

But there are so many of these fooleries, that we can- 
not mention half of them, so shall pass by the stories of his 
healing a man after he was mortally wounded in the body, 
and had a sword thrust through his throat ; his preaching 
to the birds ; their obedience to him ; his exhorting a 
grasshopper to sing God's praise, calling her and the birds 
his sisters, and inviting the sun, and moon, and stars to 
the love of their creator ; his turning water into wine, and 
a bag of money to a serpent ; a leg of a capon turned a 
fish, and then back again. And of one of his friars, 
seeing the soul of Francis upon his death appearing like a 
star, as big as the moon and as bright as the sun ; of a 
woman, who died without confession, and was therefore 
going to hell, but that, St. Francis praying for her, her 
soul returned to her body as they were carrying her to the 
grave, and staid till she was confessed, and then she died 
again in peace : dead, raised upon prayers to him, &c. 

We find, afterwards, that these friars were deservedly 
cheated of a vast sum of money by the pope ; for Matthew 
Westminster relates, — " That, A. d. 1299, the friars minors, 
aspiring after things unlawful by their law, offered to the 
pope four hundred thousand florins of gold, and a vast 
sum of money besides, for obtaining his grant, that they 
might lawfully acquire lands, and tenements, and rents." 
The Lord Pope thereupon asked them ee where," says he, 
" is that money of yours ?" — they answered, " in the hands 
of the merchants : " and thereupon, fixing the time of three 
days to give the friars their answer, the Lord Pope 
absolved the merchants from fhe charge of it, and com- 
manded, under threatening of anathema, that the said 



108 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



money should be kept for his own necessities ; and gave 

the friars for answer, that he would in nowise violate the 

established rule of St. Francis, nor suffer the friars to 

decline from it,* &c." 

Bale has noted the following distich on these friars : — 

" Cordula nodosa, pes nudus, cappa dolosa : 
Hcec tria nudipedes ducunt ad Tartara Fratres"f 

The monastery of the grey friars, in Norwich, was 
situated near the north end of Conisford-street, and, with 
the gardens and grounds belonging to it, extended from 
the quondam churchyard of St. Cuthbert north, to (or near 
to) the lane leading from the corner, called now the 
Rose-corner, towards the river south; and from the said 
street west, to the lane called Nether Conesford, now St. 
Vedast's-lane, east. A large parcel of ground, and of a 
very pleasant situation. — One gate of their monastery 
remains to be seen, which opened into the south end of 
Sevencote-row ; but the principal gate seems to have been 
in Conisford-street, opposite the Griffin. " The grey friars 
in Norwich," saith Mr. Weever, " was founded by one 
John Hestinford, and of this foundation I find no further.''^ 

And it mattered not his finding of that ; for it is 
certainly a mistake. I know it is so set down in the 
Catalogues of the Religious Houses suppressed by Henry 
the eighth ; but, as I have no where else met with the 
name, and there is no such town in Norfolk,^ nor England, 
that I can find, from whence the name should be taken, 
I guess the name is mistaken for one John de Cunisford. 
However, I have not met with the exact time of their 
beginning to settle at this place ; but find that, about the 

* Matthew Westminster. «f Bale, Script. Cent., in., 57. 
| Weever's Funer. Mon. 
§ Though sometimes names are taken from particular places in a town. 



IN NORWICH. 



109 



thirteenth year of Edward the first, the said friars enclosed 
a lane near their mansion* 

This I take to have been the lane which the records 
of the cathedral church mention to have lain in old time 
between St. Cuthbert's churchyard and the monastery 
of the said friars, and was called Bewgate ; also, in a 
leet-roll of the eighteenth year of Edward the first, the 
capital pledges of Conesford presented that the friars 
minors had appropriated to themselves many tenements, 
which were used to pay landgable to our lord the king.f 

But two years after, namely, a. d. 1292, the said 
friars, in order to obtain the king's license of mortmain 
for several tenements and grounds, procured a writ of 
ad quod dampnum, namely, — 

" Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, 
Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to the Sheriff of 
Norfolk, greeting. We command you that, by the oath 
of good and lawful men of your bailiwick, by whom the 
truth of the matter may best be known, you diligently 
inquire whether it would be to the damage of us, or of 
others, if we should grant that John le Grocer, &c, may 
give or assign to the friars minors, &c. Witness myself, 
at Culford, the first day of May, in the twentieth year 
of our reign." By virtue of which writ, the following 
inquisition was taken and returned : — 

u An inquisition, made by Geffrey de Bungeye, Robert 
de Westone, Robert de Wymondham, Henry le Bus, 
Thomas Hungham, Walter le Chaucer, Hugh de Wymond- 
ham, William le Taverner, John de Reppes, Banulph le 
Pissuner, Simon le Parchemyner, and Geffery de Salle, 

* Fratres Minores de Norwic. de Venella, prope mansum includend. 
Esch. — 13 Edward i, 
f Rot. Lete Cones/. — 18 Edward i. 



110 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

citizens of Norwich, who say upon their oath, that John 
le Grocer holds in Norwich nine perches of land in length 
and four perches in breadth. 

IN LENGTH. IN BREADTH. 
Perch. Ft. Perch. Ft. 



( a ) John le Crocer [al. Grocer) 


9 


0 


and 4 


0 


Item. ( b ) Adam de Stonlious 


9 


0 


... 3 


7 


Item. ( c ) Richard de Fornsete 


4 


5 


... 0 


33 


Item. ( d ) The Prior of St. Faith's 


4 


0 


... 0 


33 


Item. *** The Prior and Convent of Norwich 


8 


0 


... 4 


5 


Item. ( e ) MabiliadelCavet(or j ,delaCauwet) 


11 


0 


... 4 


0 


Item. ( f ) Thomas de Stanfeld 


7 


16 


... 0 


30 


Item, (s) The Abbot and Convent of St. i 
Benedict de Hulmo J 


i 

; 5 


3 


... 3 


15 


Item. ( h ) Alexander de la Sarteryn and] 
Thomas de Wymundham ...J 


; o 


50 


... 0 37 


Item. ( 1 ) Roger de Marescall 


7 


5 


... 4 


12 


Item. ( n ) Roger de Morleye 


11 


7 


... 5 


17 


Item. ( m ) William Justice and Robert his^ 
brother j 


11 


0 


... 3 


10 


Item. (°) John de Wyttone {ah. Wyltone) 


3 


15 


... 0 


30 


Item, (p) Goda de Lodne 


4 


0 


... 2 


12 


Item, (q) William de Colneye 


7 


9 


... 3 


12 



Which tenements aforesaid are all void; but when they 
were built, they were used to pay yearly to the farm of 
the bailiffs of Norwich, six-pence. They say also, that — 



IN LENGTH. IN BREADTH. 
Perch. Ft. Perch. Ft. 



( k ) Godfrey Pikard holds 4 5 and 2 6 

Item. Giles le Peyntour 716 ... 3 0 

Item. ( r ) * William le Wirly 7 9 ... 317 



* The letters a, b, c, &c., prefixed to the names above, denote only 
the order wherein they are mentioned in the writ of ad quod Dampnum, 
which was the order they lay in. Accordingly, the friars obtained a letter of 
mortmain for the above-mentioned grounds, though I have not met with it. 



IN NORWICH. 



Ill 



And pays yearly to the hospital of Kerbrok, twelve-pence, 
which three tenements aforesaid are built, and pay yearly 
to the farm of the bailiffs of Norwich, one penny. They 
say also that all the tenements aforesaid are held in capite 
of our lord the king, except the aforesaid tenement of 
William le Wyrly. 

They say also that it is not to the damage or prejudice 
of the king, or of any person, if the king should grant 
to the aforesaid tenants, that they might give and assign 
to the beloved in Christ, the friars minors of Norwich, to 
have and to hold to them and their successors for ever. 
They say also that all the other tenements remaining to 
the said tenants, over and above the donations aforesaid, 
are sufficient to bear and perform all other charges which 
they have used, as in suits, views of frank pledge, aids, 
talliages, &c. 

But the prior and convent of Norwich did not give 
the friars the ground above mentioned, whatever the others 
did ; but the friars were obliged to purchase or acquire 
certain messuages for them in lieu of it, for which, the 
same year another writ of ad quod Dampnum was issued in 
behalf of them. Witness the king, at Stibenhethe, (now 
Stepney, near London) the fifteenth of April, in the 
twentieth year of his reign. Accordingly, an inquisition 
was made, and it was found not to be to the damage of 
the king, &c, if he should grant licence to certain persons 
to assign tenements and rent to the prior and convent of 
Norwich, namely, — Ralph Nockes, one messuage ; Thomas 
de Stanfeld, one messuage ; Robert de Sprouston, chaplain, 
one messuage ; and Adam de Saham, four shillings of 
yearly rent. 

Whereupon, the king, by his charter, gave licence to 
the said Ralph Nockes, &c, to give and assign the said 



112 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



messuages and rents to the said prior and convent ; so that 
the aforesaid prior and convent should pay yearly to the 
said king and his heirs, by the hands of the bailiffs of Nor- 
wich, to the farm of the said town, one penny half-penny. 
Witness the king, at Berwicke upon Twede, the tenth day 
of June, in the twentieth year of his reign. 

But the prior and convent of Norwich gave the friars 
all the trouble and charge about it that they could, and 
would not accept these grants with any incumbrance, 
though with so small a rent as three half-pence. 

And therefore, the friars persuaded one Richard de 
Fornsete to oblige his messuage for payment, and exhibited 
the following petition, in French, to the king: — " Pur ceo 
ke nre Seigneur le Hoi," &c. " Forasmuch as our Lord the 
King, for the salvation of his soul, hath by his charity 
granted to Ralph Nockes, Thomas de Stanfeld, Robert de 
Sprowston, and Adam de Saham, that they may give to 
the prior of Norwiz, three messuages and four shillings of 
rent in Norwiz, for the which, the prior hath granted 
to the friars minors some tenements, for which he hath the 
charter, or licence, of our lord the king ; and the said 
prior will not suffer these exchanges, unless the messuages 
and the rent be first granted to the bishop of Norwiz, 
without charge of rent, in free pure and perpetual alms ; 
and that he, in like form, may grant the messuages and 
rent to the prior. But that the three half-pence of rent 
may be saved to our lord the king, which the said mes- 
suages and rent owe yearly to his farm, Richard de Fornsete, 
burgess of Norwiz, hath granted at the Exchequer, for 
himself and his heirs, to pay the said three half-pence ; 
and that his tenements shall be charged therewith without 
end, into whose hands soever they shall come. And 
forasmuch as the friars have begun their church in the 



IN NORWICH. 113 

place which the prior granted them, in hope of the grace 
of our lord the king, who is inclined to maintain and 
enhance holy church, the friars pray him, that if he please, 
will grant that the charter before granted in form aforesaid, 
may be changed; or else they must pull down their 
church, and deliver to the prior his land again." 

Another petition, in Latin, to the same effect, {Suppli- 
cant dno Regi) — "The Friars of the Order of Minors 
of Norwich, supplicate our lord the king, that, whereas 
the prior of Norwich hath granted them a certain place, 
contiguous to the {area) ground of the same friars, for the 
enlargement of their {area) ground in Norwich, by the 
king's licence, and by his letters patent thereupon made. 
And the same king hath granted, likewise, by his letters 
patent, to Richard Norkes and others, that they may assign 
three messuages and four shillings rent to the aforesaid prior 
and convent, in recompence of the aforesaid place : the said 
friars now petition that the aforesaid Ralph and others may 
give them to the bishop, &c. : hereupon, another writ of 
ad quod dampnum was issued pursuant to their petition. 
Witness the king, at Westminster, the twenty-eighth of 
June, in the twenty -first year of his reign." Which was 
followed by this inquisition, namely: — "An inquistion 
made by Roger de Tudenham, Roger le Mareschall, Thomas 
de Hingham, Walter le Chaucer, Ranulph de Pesuner, 
Alexander de la Sarteryn, Laurence de Blakene, Simon le 
Parchemyner, Robert de St. Edmund Lorimer, John de 
Bedford, Adam Friend, and Henry de Selurtuner, who 
say upon their oath, that it is not to the damage of the 
king, &c, if he should grant to Ralph Norkes, that he 
may give and assign a messuage with its appurtenances 
in Norwich to the venerable Father Roger, Bishop of 
Norwich, that the same bishop, having peaceable posses- 



114 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

sion thereof, may give the same to the prior and convent 
of the church of the Holy Trinity in Norwich, to have 
and to hold to them and their successors for ever, in 
perpetual alms : and it is held of the king in capite, 
paying yearly to the bailiffs of Norwich to their farm, one 
half-penny. And they say the like for one messuage of 
Thomas de Stanfeld, paying one half-penny. And also of 
Robert de Sprouston, chaplain, for one messuage, paying 
also one half-penny ; and the like for four shillings of 
yearly rent, in Norwich, which Adam de Saham should 
give. Also, they say that the lands and tenements of the 
aforesaid Ralph, Thomas, Robert, and Adam, which remain 
to them, besides the aforesaid donations, are sufficient to 
perform and answer the customs and services, due as well 
for the said gifts as for what they retain. Moreover, that 
one Richard de Fornsete, a burgess of Norwich, hath 
obliged his messuage, in Norwich, before the Treasurer 
and Barons of the Exchequer, for payment of the said 
three half-pence for ever." 

And concerning the said rent of three half-pence, the 
following certificate was made by the city : — " To the most 
excellent Prince and their Lord, the Lord Edward, by 
the Grace of God, the most illustrious King of England, 
Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, his bailiffs and 
men of his city of Norwich, send their duty (obsequiun^) 
or obedience of heart and hands due to so great a king. 
Whereas, licence hath been lately granted of your grace to 
the prior and his convent of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, 
to purchase of Ralph Norkes one messuage ; of Thomas 
de Stanfeld one messuage ; of Robert de Sprouston, 
chaplain, one messuage; and of Adam de Saham four 
shillings of yearly rent, with their appurtenances, in the 
city aforesaid ; your statute upon such-like purchases set 



IN NORWICH. 



115 



forth, notwithstanding, reserving to yourself and your 
heirs, one penny and one half-penny of yearly rent. We 
signify to your dignity, by the tenor of these presents, that 
Richard de Fornsete, our fellow-burgess, at the instance 
and request of the friars minors dwelling in the aforesaid 
city, hath granted that the aforesaid one penny half-penny 
shall be yearly received out of his messuage, situate in the 
said city, from him and his heirs for ever; so that your 
especial grace may hereupon be obtained. In testimony 
of which thing, the seal of our commonalty is affixed. 
(Sig. Civitatis nostrce.) Written at Norwich, in the Feast of 
the Holy Trinity, in the twenty-first year of your reign." 

So that, at length, the king granted his charter of 
licence to the said Ralph and others, before mentioned, to 
assign the premises unto the said bishop for the purposes 
aforesaid. Witness the king, the twenty-fifth of November, 
in the twenty-second year of his reign.* 

And after the friars had obtained all the ground 
necessary for their monastery, gardens, &c, they wanted 
a communication with the river, which was near them, 
passing by not far from them eastward. And this they 
also obtained, and afterwards had confirmed, as from the 
following instrument will appear : — " To all and singular 
the faithful people of Christ, to whom the present indented 
writing shall come, I, William Skipwyth, esquire, greeting 
in the Lord. The writing of Elizabeth Elmham, John 
Ingaldesthorpe, knight, Roger Drury, knight, Richard 
Burghe, esq., John Carbonell, esq., William Rys, esq., 
William Appilzerd, John Hoolboorne, Alexander Broune, 
and Edmund Perke, chaplain, I have seen in these words. 
( To all to whom the present letters shall come, Elizabeth 
Elmham, John Ingaldesthorpe, knight, &c, greeting. 

* Lib. Placitorum et Chartarurn. 

i 2 



116 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Whereas, Roger Verly, late citizen of Norwich, hath for- 
merly granted to the (guardians) warden and convent of 
the order of the friars minors in the city of Norwich, a 
certain easement of carrying and re carrying corn and other 
victuals, and also other their goods and chattels, by a 
certain ditch of water of the same Roger, in Norwich, in 
Nether Conesforde, which said ditch extends itself from 
the king's river towards the east, unto the king's way 
towards the west, and lies between the land some time of 
the said Roger, on the part of the south and of the north, 
as in a certain charter indented of the same Roger, there- 
upon made, is more fully contained ; of which said ditch 
and land, on the south and north sides of the said 
ditch, on the day of the date of the presents, we, the said 
Elizabeth Elmham, John Ingaldesthorpe, &c, are infeoffed 
and seized ; know ye, that we, the aforesaid Elizabeth, 
John, &c, have ratified, and by these presents confirmed, 
the aforesaid easement to the same warden and convent 
and their successors for ever ; and that it may be very 
lawful for the same warden, &c, to dig in the said ditch, 
and to clean the said ditch of water ; and at the free will 
of the same warden, &c, to do such things as are neces- 
sary for the amending of the water of the said ditch, 
whereby the said warden, &c, may the better and more 
commodiously use the easement aforesaid for the future, 
without the impediment of us, or our heirs or assigns. 
We have also granted, and by the present writing con- 
firmed to the aforesaid warden, &c, that it may be very 
lawful for the same warden, &c, to fish freely in the 
aforesaid ditch, from the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, 
before the date of the presents, for two hundred years 
next following, and fully to be completed ; provided always, 
that we, the before-mentioned Elizabeth, John, &c, our 



IN NORWICH. 



117 



heirs or assigns, may not be hindered by the said warden, 
&c., but that we may freely in our same ditch fish, carry, 
and recarry all our victuals, goods, and chattels, whensoever 
and so often as it shall please us and our heirs or assigns. 
In testimony of which thing, to the present writing we 
have set to our seals. Dated at Norwich, on the Tuesday 
next after the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, in the sixth 
year of king Henry the fourth, after the conquest.' Know 
ye that I, the before-mentioned William Skipwyth, being in 
my full, peaceable, and sole possession of and in that 
messuage with its appurtenances, which some time, namely, 
at the time of the making of that writing, belonged to 
the aforesaid Elizabeth, John, &c, in Norwich, in the 
parish of St. Vedast, (whereof the aforesaid ditch is a 
parcel) for me and my heirs and assigns have accepted 
that writing, and approved it ; and have ratified, &c. for 
me and my heirs, to Richard Colby, now warden of the con- 
vent of the order of friars aforesaid, in the said city, and to 
their successors, all and singular the things contained in 
the same writing. I have moreover granted, by this pre- 
sent writing, to the aforesaid warden, &c, that it may be 
very lawful for them to fish in the said ditch for their 
own proper uses, unto the term of two hundred years 
aforesaid; and, immediately from the end of that term, 
unto the end of the term of other two hundred years, 
from thence next following, and fully to be completed, 
as often as and whensoever it shall please the said 
warden, &c; provided that I, the said William Skipwyth, 
my heirs and assigns, may freely fish in the ditch aforesaid. 
I have also granted for me and my heirs, to the aforesaid 
warden, &c, that they, without the brink of the said 
ditch, in and by my land, namely, by the space of eight 
feet of immediate breadth on each side of the same ditch, 



118 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



and in length of the same whole ditch, by either side 
thereof, may walk on foot, and may walk when and so 
often as they shall please to fish in the same ditch, during 
the term of the aforesaid four hundred years. In testimony 
of which thing, to the one part of this indented writing, 
remaining with the aforesaid warden and convent, I, the 
aforesaid William Skipwyth, have set to my seal ; and to 
the other part of the same indented writing, remaining 
with me, the aforesaid William Skipwyth, the now warden 
and convent aforesaid have set to their common seal. 
Dated the fifteenth day of March, in the fifth year of the 
reign of king Edward, the fourth after the conquest."* 

Note. — This was the creek over which the stone 
bridge lies in St. Vedast's Lane, near to the place where 
the horse-fair is kept. 



THE FOLLOWING PERSONS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN BURIED 
IN THE CHURCH OF THE SAID GREY FRIARS, AS WE FIND 
IN THEIR LAST WILLS AND TESTAMENTS OF THE FOL- 
LOWING DATES:— 
A. D. 

1330, Robertus Bainard, died and lyeth buryed among 
the friars minors of Norwich. (Manuscript Col- 
lection of Robert Glover. )f 

1370, Sir John de Haddon. 

1371, Walter Baker, parson of Shropham. 

1372, William de Pulham, mercer, citizen of Norwich, 

and bequeathed to them and to the friars preachers, 
twenty shillings each order, to pray for his sord.* 

1373, Sir John de Reppes, knight; near the grave of Sir 

John Banent. 

1374, Henry Wynke, chaplain. 

* Atthgraph, in Guildhall. f Coll. D. Tanner, Cane. \ Beg. Heydon. 



IN NORWICH. 119 

A. D. 

1375, The Lady Petronilla de Hardeshille. 

1397, Henry Oldebek, of Wichingham Magna, rector of 

the church of Wramplingham. 
1433, Thomas Ocle, citizen of Norwich, late one of the 

sheriffs of the same city. 
1429, Sir Richard Carbonell, knight ; bequeathed to these 

friars twenty shillings, and two cloths of gold with 

frontalis for the altar and one Bible.* 
1431, The Lady Margaret, who was wife of Sir Richard 

Carbonell, knight, in the chapel of St. Anne. 
1433, Thomas Boyes, esquire. 
1437, Henry Walsingham, of Trous. 

1439, Thomas Attezatys, son of Richard Attzatis, lyster, 
late citizen of Norwich : he bequeathed five 
pounds to be prayed for. 

1441, William Ledman, citizen, and some time mayor of 

this city : he bequeathed ten marks ; also, five 
marks to the making or amending of a certain 
chapel of St. Mary, in their church.f 

1442, John Braklee, citizen of Norwich, lyster : he be- 

queathed his messuage to be sold after the death 
of his wife, and half the money thence arising 
unto the friars. 
1445, Roger Totenay. 

1453, Robert Ryngman (Graden. Episcopus) Bishop of* * *, 

within the choir of their church.^ 
1459, Alice Preston, of Norwich, widow. § 
1461, Thomas Shurlok, chaplain : he bequeathed twenty 

shillings. 

1474, Alice Brocker, of Norwich, widow ; and bequeathed 
twenty shillings to the repair of their dormitory. 



* Reg. Surfleet, f. 67. f Reg. Doke, f. 154. 

\ Reg. Aleyn, f. 172. § Reg. Brosyard, f. 176. 



120 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1474, William Herbert, of Swardestone. 
1481, Thomas Sparke, citizen of Norwich, coverlyght- 
wever : he bequeathed twenty shillings. 

1483, John Dyghton, citizen of Norwich, vintner, "willed 

to be buried in the north syde of the churche of 
the Fryeris Mynours, in Norwich, before Saint 
Thomas ; to which church he bequeathed for 
brekyng of the ground, twenty shillings ; to iche 
frier, being a preste, four-pence ; to iche other 
frier, two-pence. Also, he bequeathed to the same 
place, to the said fryers prestyd, one pype of rede 
wyne, to syng their masses with. Also, to Fryer 
Thornham, wardeyn of the same place, twenty- 
pence; and to iche fryer, maister of the same 
place, twelve-pence. Also, to the same place, a 
steyned cloth with the nine worthyes."* 

1484, Cecily Skelton, of Norwich, widow, late wife of 

Thomas Skelton, gentylman, near the grave of her 
said husband.f 

1485, William Phelippes, citizen and alderman of Norwich, 

" by the grave of Kateryn his wiff,late there beryed ; 
and bequeathed to the repair of the house, twenty 
shillings ; to every fryer preste, four-pence ; and 
to every fryer, not a preste, two-pence."+ 

1486, Margaret Skipwith, widow of William Skipwith, 

late of Norwich, esquire, in the chapel of Blessed 
Mary the Virgin, contiguous to the choir of their 
church, and bequeathed ten marks to their con- 
vent ; so that the warden and convent, on the day 
of the burial of her body, and one day in every 
week for a year following, next after her death, 

* Reg. Caston, f. 237. f Reg. Caston, f. 208. J Reg. Caston, f. 35. 



IN NORWICH. 121 

A. D. 

should keep in their choir aforesaid, her exequies 
with placebo, &c. Also, four pounds per annum 
to a friar of the same convent, for five years, to 
celebrate in the said chapel of St. Ann.* 
1486, Margaret Fisher, of Norwich, widow, and gave ten 
shillings. 

1490, Isabel Lyston, widow of Robert Lyston, squier ; by 
her said husband, if she dyed in Norwich. f 

1492, Roger Aylemer, squyer, seventh of October, at 
Norwich. " I will that my body be beried in the 
Fryers Mynours, in Norwich. I bequeath to the 
high aultar of St. Stephen's chirche, # six shillings 
and eight-pence. Item. — To the Warden and 
Convent of the Fryers Mynours, to the emending 
of their bokys and vestiments, forty-six shillings and 
eight-pence ; and I will that iche of the four fryers, 
that shall bere my body to the church of the said 
Fryers Minors, have for his labor twenty-pence ; 
also, to the repair of the said church, to pray for 
my sowle, and say a solempn mass yearly, for four 
yeres, eight pounds ; and that Fryer John Fyssher, 
of the said convent, be my prest, and go to the 
court of Rome on pilgrimage, and say mass for my 
sowle at Scala Celi, &c, and to have ten marks 
when he goeth forth, and when he cometh home, 
forty shillings." % 
1494, Thomas Bry gg, esquire, on the south side of the 
church, before the altar, within the parclos there. 
"Item. — I will that my executors pay to the 
house of the same friars, one hundred marks, to 
be paid according to the effect of a certain inden- 
ture thereupon made between me and Thomas 

*Reg. Wolman, f. 18. f Reg. Wo/man, f. 17. J Reg. Multone, f. 49. 



122 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

Glaumvyle, warden of the same house, with 
intention and condition that the friars there shall 
pray for my soul, and for the souls of my friends, 
according to the effect of the same indenture. 
Item. — I will that my executors pay for a marble 
stone, to be laid on my grave, an hundred 
shillings." * 

1496, John Spryngwelle :f he willed to be buried in the 
chirche of St. Frawncesse, at the Fryers Mynours, 
in Norwich, and bequeathed to the said fryers, 
forty shillings 4 

1499, Richard Glawnvile, citizen of Norwich, bruer, and 
gave ten shillings. 

1501, Geffrey Freman, of Norwich, and gave ten shillings 

for a trental. 

1502, Anastas Elys, of Norwich, single woman, and gave 

twelve shillings. § 
1504, Isabelle Hoode, of Norwich, widowe. " Item. — 
I bequeth to the said freres a maser, (ita) halff a 
doseyn silver spones, my best brasse pott, and my 
best panne ; and three shillings and four-pence 
for a petaunce.|| 

1514, Edward Walshe, of Wightlingham : he gave them 

five marks. 

1515, Margery Havyr, of Norwich, widow, near the grave 

of John Havyr, late her husband : he bequeathed 
twenty-six shillings and eight-pence ; and also to 
each friar priest, four -pence, and others, two-pence. 

1516, Olive Dade ; and gave four marks. 

As for the meaner sort, whose purses could not reach 
the purchase of a burial-place in the friars' church, they 

* Reg. Wo/maji, f. 202. f 12 Henry VII. J Reg. Multone, f. 55. 
§ Reg. Popi/e, f. 239. || Reg. Ri.v, f. 174. 



IN NORWICH. 



12-3 



were made to believe it would be of some service to 
their souls to have their corpses carried by friars, to be 
interred at the parish churches. For instance, a. d. 1505, 
William Southwode, of Norwich, cook, willed to be buried 
in the churchyard of St. Margaret, in Westwik. " Item. — 
I will have four grey friars to bere me to churche, and 
give to eche for their labour, four -pence.* 

Another small benefactor, a. d. 1531, bequeathed to 
the box of St. Francis Freres, in Norwich, twelve-pence ; 
and to the place there, five shillings.t 

The monks of the cathedral church were used gene- 
rally, at Christinas, to entertain these grey friars, or send 
them victuals ; as appears in the rolls of accompts of the 
prior's chamber, namely, — 

Anno, 12th of Henry de Lakenham, prior. Expended 
in feeding (alias refectione, cibatione) the Friars Minors, at 
the Nativity, three shillings and four-pence. 

Anno, 20th ditto, sixteen shillings. 

Anno, 5th R. de Langele, six shillings and nine- 
pence, besides store. 

And so yearly, thereabouts, in the time of William 
de Claxton, prior. Also, sometimes they employed them 
to serve cures : as in the accompt of the sacrist of the said 
cathedral, "a. t>. 1505, paid to a friar minor, who served 
the church and parishioners of Etone, this year, fifty-three 
shillings and four -pence." 

These friars also, according to the manner of others, 
had the knack of raising money to themselves by letters 
of confraternity. Hence, we find mention in old wills of 
the sisters of this order : — 

1476, Katerine, a sister of the order of the friars minors.* 



* Reg. Rix, f. 230. f Reg. Alpe, f. 157. J Reg. Gelour, f. 183. 



124 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1478, Jone Cook, of Northwalsham, (Consoror) or sister of 
the house of the friars minors, in Norwich * 

1484, Margaret Est, of Norwich, widow. " I wull that my 
body be beried in the churchyard of St. Martyn 
in the Baly. Item. — I wull that my letter of 
pardon from the Grey Friers, after my berying, 
be had home unto the same place unto the which 
I am suster, and six-pence with the same letter ; 
and a masse there to be done for me, if it may 
be borne." f 

1492, William Cusshyn, of Hengham, bequeathed to the 
house of the Grey Friers, in Norwich, in which 
he was a brother, ten shillings. 
The following is a translation of one of their said 
letters : — " To his most dear in Christ, Thomas Bate and 
his children, Friar Richard, minister and servant of the 
Friars Minors in England, wisheth health, and by the 
merits of this life to receive eternal joys. I, considering 
and accepting the devotion, which, for the reverence of 
God, you have to our order, with an affection of sincere 
charity, and desiring to render to you a salutary recom- 
pence, I receive you to all and singular the suffrages of 
the friars of the English administration, as well in life as 
in death, by the tenor of these presents ; granting to you 
a full participation of all the spiritual good things, as far 
as it shall please God, which, by the same friars committed 
to my care, the clemency of our Saviour shall vouchsafe 
to be wrought. Adding, moreover, of our special grace, 
that when your deaths, together with an exhibition of 
these presents, shall be shewed in our provincial chapter, 
there shall be done for you by the whole administration of 



* Beg. Gehur, f. 21 G. 



f Beg. Caston, f. 203. 



IN NORWICH 



125 



England, that which hath been used to be performed for 
our friars, and the friends and benefactors of our order 
deceased, there recommended. Farewell, happily ! in the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Mother, the glorious Virgin. 
Dated at Norwich, the fourth day of February, A. d. 1432. 

BY FRIAR ROBERT CARLT** "f 

Note. — Richard was brother Richard Leak, d.d., the 
forty-sixth provincial of this order in England, as appears 
by Antiquities of English Franciscans, p. xn. and 198 ; 
and Robert Carlton was, probably, warden of the convent 
of Norwich. 

The church of the said friars was dedicated to St. 
Francis, the founder of their order, as appears before. 

The length of the choir of their church was sixty 
(gressus) common paces ; the length of the inter-space of 
the steeple (belfry) between the doors of the choir and the 
doors of the nave of the church, twenty-four paces ; the 
length of the nave of the church, from the west to the 
first doors towards the east, was * * * * paces, which 
contains thirty-five yards or one hundred and five feet; the 
breadth of the said church, thirty-two paces ; the length 
of the cloister, on the chapter-house side, contains sixty- 
one paces. But the aforesaid length of the church, from 
west to the first doors of the church, contains thirty-five 
yards, that is, one hundred and five feet, by my measure 
with a yard of three feet long. 

The length of the nave of the church of St. Francis 
of Norwich, from the west end of the choir to the west 
window, contains eighty-two paces ; the breadth thereof, 
thirty-two paces.J 

f I suppose Carlton. 
t Willis' Account of Priors, Sfc, Addend., p. 329 : ex Collect. 
WiUmi Worcester, p. 149. 



126 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



CHAPELS IN THE SAID CHURCH MENTIONED. 
The chapel of Blessed Virgin Mary, contiguous to the 
choir, 1441 and 1486 ; the chapel of St. Saviour, on the 
south side of the church, 1518 ; the chapel of St. Anne, 
1431* 

IMAGES. 

The image of St. Thomas, in the north side of the 
church, and the image of Our Lady of Pitee, 1505. 

GUILDS KEPT HERE. 

The guild of Our Lady, at the Friars Minors, 1497. f 

The guild of St. John the Evangelist, 1503, 1518, 1524. 

A. D. 1503. — Geffrey Stywarde, alderman, bequeathed 
to the guild of St. John the Evangelist, holden in the 
Grey Friars, in Norwich, twenty shillings.^ 

The guild of St. Barbara, 1497, 1505, 1514, 1524. 

A. D. 1497. — Peter Peterson bequeathed to the sus- 
taining of St. Barbara's guild, holden in the Grey Friars, 
in Norwich, forty-pence.§ 

Also, they usually had an anchorite residing here, 
whose cell was next Conesford-Street. opposite to the lane 
which leads from this street to the red well : the place is 
still called, in writings, the Anchorite's Garden. In a. d. 
1628, it was in farm to John Jermy, esq., for ten shillings 
per annum ; lately sold for fifty guineas : and a new house is 
now built there. Mention of the anchorite here, is found 
in the last will of William Beisby of Norwich, draper, 
a. d. 1518, who willed to be buried in the churchyard of 
St. George Tombland. " Item. — I wyll that the ancre of 

*Beg. Surflet., f. 82. (Coll. D. Tann.) f Reg. Multone, f. 91. 
\ Reg. Popye, f. 507. § Reg. Multone, f. 55. 



IN NORWICH. 



127 



the Grey Fryers, in Norwich, syng for me five masses of 
the five Wondes, by the privilege of Scala Celi, graunted to 
Boston Pardon. He to have for his labour twenty-pence ; 
which I will be done the same day that I die, or the next 
following."* So that, it seems this Beisby was a brother 
of Boston Guild. 

During the times of controversy between the city 
and monks of the cathedral church, in a. d. 1493, con- 
ferences were held here between the council and deputies 
of both parties, concerning the matters controversed.f 
And the mayor and aldermen resorted hither to church, 
instead of going to the cathedral, whereof, a. d. 1496, — 
" Memorandum. That, upon Tuesday in Esterne weke, 
(the sixth of April) after the sermone in the Grey Friars, 
Doctour Shenkweyn compleyned to the maior for sellyng 
of wyne after ten-pence the galone by Mr. Gogeone4 

WARDENS OF THE GREY FRIARS. 
The heads of the respective monasteries of Grey Friars 
were called not priors, but guardiani, or wardens ; and 
these were some of the wardens of the Grey Friars, in 
Norwich: namely, — 

Richard Colby — 5 Edward iv. 

William Rokewode — 8 Edward iv. 

John Mowte— 1469. 

Thomas — (intr. 1471 and 1483.) 

Thornham.— 1483. 

Thomas Glaumvyle. — 1494. 

OF THE LIBRARY. 
Leland, in his Collectanea, has only the name of one book 
in the library of these friars, namely, Bacon de Locis ; a book 
of geography, beginning "Quoniam infinitum est"$ Sec. 

* Reg. Gylys, f. 76. f Comp. Camer. — 8 Henry vn. 

\ Lib. Cur.—ll Henry vu. § Lei. Coll., vol. in., p. 26. 



• 128 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Upon the suppression of monasteries, king Henry the 
eighth granted the site of the Friars Minors to Thomas, 
Duke of Norfolk,, by his letters patent of the twelfth of 
March, in the thirtieth year of his reign, a. d. 1539, 
to hold to him and his heirs for ever, in free burgage 
and by fealty for all services * 

The Earl of Surrey, the son of the said duke, came 
thither the same year. Whence, in the chamberlain's ac- 
count, we find mention of ypocras and other things, sent by 
the city as a present to the Lord Surrey to the Grey Friars.f 

But I have a note, that, on the sixth of November, in 
the thirty-sixth year of Henry the eighth, the said king 
granted to Paul Gresham and Francis Baldero, gentlemen, 
several messuages in the Grey Friars, in Norwich, for 
one hundred and seventy-four pounds two shillings and 
eight-pence.* 

In the first year of Elizabeth, the city purchased the 
house of the Grey Friars of the Duke of Norfolk;! but 
the duke had leased it|| to John Bronde for forty years, at 
eight pounds ten shillings per annum clear ; and when 
the city purchased the premises, Richard Sotherton had 
the lease, who, in the sixth year of the said queen's reign, 
sold the same lease to the city upon reasonable terms, so 
that the city had a good bargain of it.5T 

And the next year, the great house at the Grey Friars, 
with its gables, buttresses, &c, was taken down by the 
city; and they received twenty-six pounds five shillings 
and eight-pence for a year's rental of the several parcels,** 
which, in a. d. 1625, amounted to forty-four pounds seven- 
teen shillings and four -pence for a year's rent. ft 

* Pat — 30 Henry vm. Autograph, in Guildhall Civitatis. 
f Comp. Camer. Ctv.—29 Henry vm. $ P. L. N. N. 

§ Lib. Cony., &c. || Lib. Rub. Ming ay — 33 Henry, 

f Lib. Cong, et Comp. Cam. ** Comp. Camer — 7 Elizabeth, 
ff Comp. Camer. — 1625. 



IN NORWICH. 



129 



A great part of the grounds belonging to the said site 
of the grey friars have, at several times since, been sold or 
leased out in long unexpirable, or at least irrevertible, 
leases by the city. 

OF THE AUSTIN FRIARS. 
Concerning the rise of the Augustine (or Austin) 
Friars, we are told the following stories by them : — " The 
Order of the Hermits of the Father Aurelius Augustine 
began A. D. 398," says our author, " at Tegast and Hippo, 
cities of Africa ; the same Augustine (or Austin) being the 
founder and master. For when Austin had buried his 
mother at Ostia, by the mouth of the Tiber, he sailed to 
Africa ; and having given his patrimony to the poor, he 
built the first monastery in a wood, not far from the city 
of Hippo, and there, with the servants of God, began to 
live after the manner of Hermits, according to the 
rule constituted by the Holy Apostles. And when he had 
been there three years, he first published a rule according 
to the apostolical form, and delivered it to them, for them 
and their successors to observe. Hermits, and other men 
without number, offered themselves to the profession of 
the father, and many monasteries were built in Africa, 
which, in many places when the Vandal persecution raged, 
were demolished. Whereupon some of the friars went to 
Italy ; and in Tuscany especially, and other places, they 
laboured to restore and preserve the heremitical order; 
but under the Goths, Longobards, &c, they were almost 
extinguished. When therefore, in many places, this Order 
of the Hermits of St. Austin seemed to be decayed, St. 
William, who was Duke of Aquitaine, arose in France, 
and greatly advanced his Order. He bent his mind to 
regulate the manners of his religious, and to repair and 

K 



130 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



build new monasteries : for he first, leaving the wilderness, 
built a monastery of the Order at Paris, and begun to exer- 
cise begging ; Pope Anastasius the fourth, and Hadrian, 
his successor, approving it. And he caused the same to 
be done in many cities, being more commodious places 
to exercise their begging-trade in than the wilderness ; 
and that being an easier employment than work, by which 
the ancient and better sort of monks subsisted themselves. 
This was about a. d. 1157; and after that, they were 
commonly called in France, not Hermits of St. Austin, but 
Williamites. And after that, by his example, John the 
Good, of Mantua, restored in like manner the decayed 
order in Umbria and Flaminia, provinces of Italy ; and 
many monasteries were built about a. d. 1200 : whereupon, 
in those provinces, the religious of this order were called, 
not Hermits of St. Austin, but Zamboniti. This John 
had for many years adhered to young men and players : 
afterwards, being smitten with a grievous sickness, he 
vowed to God to take on him the habit of religion, if he 
recovered; and being restored to health, he sold all his 
goods, and bestowed the money on the poor, and departed 
to a certain cave in Flaminia, near the city Caesena, and 
took the habit of the religion of the Hermits of St. Austin. 
In the beginning of his entrance into this religion, he 
was greatly assaulted with carnal lusts ; but taking a reed, 
he broke it into small pieces, and fixed the sharp ends 
under the nails of his fingers, and beating his hand on a 
stone, smote them up to the upper part of his fingers; 
whereupon, by most vehement suffering, being almost dead, 
he fell down on the ground, and there remained as dead 
for three days and nights : but the Lord appeared to him, 
and said — " Son, because you have acted courageously, 
you shall pass your life in the best manner: you shall 



IN NORWICH. 



131 



no more be assaulted with any temptation." The pain 
vanished ; and afterwards he afflicted his body with in- 
credible abstinence to his death, which happened a.d. 1222. 

At length, Pope Alexander the fourth, who succeeded 
'innocent, perfected the union of the friars, Hermits of 
St. Austin, which had been begun by his predecessor. 
Being warned by a certain vision, — (dreams, visions, and 
imaginations are the foundations of most of the popish super- 
stitions) — wherein he saw the most blessed Father Austin, 
with a great head and small limbs, who admonished him, 
that whereas his order was spread through the cities of 
France, it might be reduced into cities, that it might have 
an increase after the manner of the preachers and minors, 
who, presently awaking, ordained that the aforesaid friars 
should be governed under one head, and called by one 
name, namely, Hermits of St. Austin. And he obliged 
them, leaving the woods, to inhabit cities ; and granted 
them privileges of hearing confessions, &c, as to the other 
orders : this was about a. d. 1256.* 

But, notwithstanding all this, the most part of their 
own learned men do suspect that neither these friars nor 
the canons regular were ever instituted by the learned 
St. Austin. The said order of Austin friars was impugned 
by many persons, and at Paris was rejected ; but Pope 
Honorius the fourth confirmed it, a. d. 1287.f These friars 
came into England from Italy about the year 1252.$ 

A. D. 1377. — The Austin friars obtained a dispensation 
for the eating of flesh, under condition that they should 
observe the fast of the friars minors before Christmas.§ 

* Supplm. Suppli. Cronicar. f Bale, Cent. Scriptor. 4, 49, p. 338. 
\ Bale, Cent. 7, cap. 89, in Appendice, 8fc. Lewis Owen's Genealogy 
of Monks, Sfc. 
§ Lei Coll., vol. i., p. 332. 

X % 



132 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" The order of Austin friars/' saith Mr. Weever, " was 
founded by one Remigius, or by the king ; but by what king, 
or to what saint dedicated, or to what value it amounted, (this 
last was in vain to inquire after) I do not know. Ochers 
say it was founded by one Roger Mynyoth."* 

Indeed, the time when these Austin friars came first 
to Norwich, does not appear. But the capital pledges of 
the Conesford leet, a. d. 1290, presented that the Austin 
friars had appropriated to themselves many tenements which 
used to pay langable to the king.f Also, at another leet, 
three years after, the said friars were amerced for having 
made a purpresture in the street of Nether Conesford, by 
a certain wall, built on the Cokeye well, twenty feet long, 
and in breadth three feet.J 

In the said year, 1290, on the Friday after the Feast 
of St. Mark, Bartholomew de Acre, merchant, citizen of 
Norwich, granted to God and to Blessed Mary, and to 
St. Austin, and to the Friars of the Order of St. Austin, 
for the health of his soul, and of the souls of his ancestors, 
in pure and perpetual alms, his messuage in Norwich, 
in the parish of St. Michael of Conesford, between the 
(domicilium) mansion of the aforesaid friars towards the 
south, and a certain messuage of Roger de Morle towards 
the north, whereof the east head abutted on the land of 
Gregory Croyde, and the west head upon the king's way 
of Upper Conesford.§ 

The friars also obtained about the same time, by 
gift or purchase, several other messuages adjoining, in 
the said parish of St. Michael, and in the parish of 
St. Peter per Mountergate, as of Adam de Toftes, Hugh 



* Weever' s Fun. Mon. f Rot. Lete Cones/.— 18 Ed vard !. 
| Rot. Lete Cones/.— 21 Edward i. § Rot. Cart 18 Edward i. 



IN NORWICH. 133 

de Fornesete, and others, concerning which take the 
following instrument : — 

" To all the faithful of Christ, to whom the present 
letters shall come ; John, the son of Simon le Mercer of 
Norwich, greeting, in the Lord. Whereas (our) lord the 
king, by his writ, hath commanded the sheriff of Norfolk, 
that, by a good and lawful inquisition, he should diligently 
inquire whether it would be to the damage or prejudice of 
(our) lord the king, or {quid decideret) what loss would fall to 
the same lord the king, if (our) lord the king should grant to 
Bartholomew de Acre, Emme David, Hugh de Fornesete 
and Julian his wife, Eeginald de Anting;ham, and Koger 
de Morley, that they might give and grant certain places 
of land in Norwich, with their appurtenances, contiguous 
to the house of the friars of the order of St. Austin, there 
to be held to them and their successors for ever. And by 
the same inquisition, it hath been found the aforesaid 
places of land should pay to (our) lord the king three 
half-pence only, to be yearly paid to the landgable of (our) 
Lord the king, according to the custom of the aforesaid 
city. That the aforesaid yearly rent may not be lost to the 
king, I signify to you, by the tenor of these presents, that 
I, the aforesaid John the son of Simon, will (if so be 
it shall please the lord king) that a certain messuage 
of mine, with its appurtenances in the aforesaid city, 
(caritatis intuitu) in way of charity, be bound and subjected 
for ever to be distrained by (our) lord the king and his. 
bailiffs, for the payment of the aforesaid three half-pence 
to the before-mentioned lord the king, according to the 
custom aforesaid, for the aforesaid friars and their suc- 
cessors, to be yearly performed, &c. Dated at Norwich, 
in the Feast of St. Andrew the apostle, in the twenty-second 
year of the reign of the lord king Edward." And it is 



134 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



to be noted, that the said messuage, before the obligation 
made, paid to the said landgable of the lord king, one 
penny per annum.* 

Afterwards, namely, in the thirteenth year of Edward 
the second, Peter de Basingham, citizen of Norwich, and 
Katherine his wife, for nine marks sterling, sold and quit- 
claimed to the prior and convent of the order of St. Austin 
for ever, eleven shillings of yearly rent which they used 
to receive yearly out of three messuages in Conesford Street, 
in the parish of St. Peter per Mountergate, which the afore- 
said prior and convent now held, namely, of the messuage 
late of Gregory Croyde, four shillings ; of the messuage 
late of Reginald de Antingham, four shillings ; and of the 
messuage late of Hugh de Fornesete, three sliillings.f 

And in the nineteenth year of the said king, the friars 
had the king's licence for taking another messuage, which 
was granted them by the abbot and convent of Langley, 
for enlarging their mansion.* 

Part of the tenements thus taken in by the friars 
(especially the last, as I think) paid a yearly rent to the 
prior and monks of the cathedral church of Norwich. 

" Know all men, that, whereas we, the prior and 
convent of the house or habitation of the order of the 
Friars Hermits of St. Austin, in Norwich, are bound to 
the prior and convent, or chapter of the cathedral church 
of Norwich, in three shillings and eight-pence sterling, 
in the name of a yearly rent, for certain places included 
within the (clausiiram) wall of our said habitation, in 
Norwich, to be paid to the said prior and convent of the said 
cathedral church, at the Feasts of Easter and St. Michael, 



* Liber Consuetud., f. 60. f Rot. Cart — 13 Edward. «. 

\ Pat.— 19 Edward u. ; part I., m. 32. P. L. N. N. 



IN NORWICH. 



135 



by equal portions. We will and grant, for us and our 
successors, that so often as the said yearly rent shall be in 
arrear, in whole or in part, at the said terms, it may be 
lawful for the said prior and chapter and their successors, 
by any person whom they shall depute, to distrain the 
moveable goods in the aforesaid house, in any manner 
belonging to the aforesaid prior and convent of the friars 
of the order aforesaid. And also, we bind ourselves to 
pay one mark (nomine pceiice) as a penalty to the chamber 
of the lord Pope. Dated the fifth kalend of January, 1347." 

Upon the back of the instrument : " Memorandum. — 
Of this rent, the cellarer receives forty-pence, and almoner 
four-pence." * 

The original is also indorsed thus, namely, — 

" An obligation of the Friars Hermites for a pension 
due for the appropriation of the church of St. Michael : 
pension three shillings and eight-pence." — But this I take 
to be a mistake ; as well from the tenor of the instrument, 
as also because, in a rental of the cellarer's rents, made 
A. d. 1337, it is thus entered, namely, — 

" St. Michael de Conesford. De Fratribus August, 
pro ten. quond. de Langele, forty-pence ; " that is, of the 
Austin Friars, for the tenement some time of St. John de 
(or of the abbot of) Langley, forty-pence. 

It is true, these friars had also the said church of 
St. Michael, concerning which, it is noted in the old re- 
gister of the archdeaconry of Norwich, that the Austin 
Friars have within their (clausuram) inclosure, or wall, the 
church of St. Michael of Conesford, whiqfi they acquired 
a. d. 1368. At length, they had all the messuages and 
grounds adjoining, between the street west and river 
east, and St. Vedast's lane north and St. Ann's lane south, 

* Reg. 2 E. Cath., f. 89. Reg. 5 E. Cath., f. 111. Autogr., A. E. N. 



136 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



namely, all that ground now inclosed with stone walls, in 
Conesford street, called the Lord's Garden. Their last 
purchase was of a lane from the city for twenty pounds, 
which in old time lay through some part of the said 
ground. For, in the book of treasurer's accompts, we find, 
ts Received of the Prior and Convent of the Order of the 
Austin Friars, for a common lane, lying near the mansion 
of the said Friars, for enlargement of their aforesaid 
mansion, twenty pounds."* 

Many of the gentry, and other persons of note, were 
buried in the church of these Austin Friars, whereof I 
shall give an account from their wills of the following 
dates ; but first of all, please to take the agreement which 
was made between Sir Edmund de Thorp, knight, and the 
Prior of these Friars, about finding a priest to celebrate 
mass for ever, made a.d. 1348,f as under, namely, upon the 
grant of St. Michael's church to them, as it seems to me, 
whereof the Thorps were patrons. " This is the convention 
made between the (Reverendum) Worshipful Edmund 
Thorp, knight, son of Sir Robert Thorp, knight, of the 
one part, and the prior and convent of the friars of the 
order of St. Austin of Norwich of the other part, namely : 
That the aforesaid prior and convent grant and promise that 
they shall have one chapel in the honor of St. Michael the 
Archangel, to the reverence of the saint and for the devo- 
tion of the faithful people, who may the more frequently 
have special mention in their prayers for the deceased, 
whose bodies rest in the churchyard. Item. — That the 
aforesaid churchyard shall never be applied to another use 

* Lib. ii., Comp. Thes. Civit.—S Henry vi. 
f St. Michael's church was not granted (or perhaps, appropriated) to 
them till a. d. 1368 — Beg. Archid. N. 



IN NORWICH. 



137 



than for preaching in, for sepulture, or the building of a 
church. Item. — The aforesaid prior arid convent promise 
and oblige themselves faithfully, that they shall have one 
friar, a priest, assigned by the prior of the place, or his 
vicegerent, to celebrate three masses in every week for 
ever in the (above) mentioned chapel : namely, one mass 
on Monday for the deceased, particularly for the souls of 
Sir E-obert Thorp, knight, John and John, and of all 
faithful people deceased; and on Wednesday, (feria quarto) 
another mass of St. Michael for the living, particularly for 
the life of Sir Edmund Thorp, and of Beatrice (his) mother, 
(and of) * * * * * *, the wife of John Thorp, and of all those 
for whom they are bound. Also the same mass on the day 
aforesaid, particularly for the souls of Edmund and Beatrice, 
when they shall have gone the way of all flesh, they shall 
(always or thenceforth) apply. But the third mass of the 
Blessed Virgin they shall continue in like manner. More- 
over, the aforesaid prior and convent do grant that the said 
Sir Edmund (shall have) free (ingress) and egress, separate 
from others, in the time when the solemnities of the masses 
are celebrated. Item. — That the said friar deputed to 

celebrate the said masses (per dominum itus) 

shall wait for him to mass unto a convenient time. So that 
every day the said chapel be occupied by one friar, 
a priest, (si convenienter fieri poterit) a lawful cause 
not hindring. Item. — That the obiit of Sir Robert, John 
and John, and of Sir Edmund, and Beatrice his mother, 
shall be every year solemnly kept (by the aforesaid con- 
vent.) And moreover, devoutly and in- a pure conscience, 
for the benefits manifoldly exhibited to us and (which) for 
future we hope for, (we promise) that every day for ever, 
whereon the chapter has been used to recite particularly 
the names of the founders and benefactors, they shall de- 



138 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

voutly nominate the aforesaid Sir Edmund and Beatrice 
(his mother) as well in life as in death, together with the 
souls of Sir Robert, John, and John, as founders. And 
that this writing, grant, and obligation, (for) perpetual me- 
mory of the thing may be reduced into publick form, they 
grant that it shall be sealed, as well with the seal of the 
prior provincial in England, as also with the seal of the 
community of the friars of the said convent, together with 
the seal of the prior of the aforesaid place. Dated in our 
provincial chapter, celebrated at Huntyngdon, in the feast 
of St. Austin the doctor, Anno Domini, one thou- 
sand three hundred and forty eight."* 

From the aforesaid instrument, it is probable that the 
said Sir Robert de Thorp, knight, was buried here, and 
others also of that family. But the following persons were, 
as appears from their last wills and testaments of the several 
dates prefixed, namely : — 

A. D. 

1875, Thomas de Hemenhale, son of Sir Thomas de 
Hemenhale, knight. 

1379, Sir Robert Brokedyss, rector of the church of 
Marlyngforth. 

1379, Sir Edmund Hemgrave, knight. 

1379, " I, Sir William de Morle, knight, (Lord Morley,) 
bequeath to the said friars, for my mortuary, my best 
black horse on the day of my interment. Also, I 
bequeath and order twenty-five pounds of wax, 
whereof shall be made five tapers to burn about 
my body at the time of my funeral. Item. — I be- 
queath to the aforesaid friars my principal corn- 
pleat vestment, with one cloth of gold (intexto) 
embroidered with the heads of ladies. Item. — I 



* Transcript, cnitiq. in pergavte.no, penes P. L. N. N. 



IN NORWICH 139 

A. D. 

bequeath, to the said friars twenty marks of lawful 
money of England, to celebrate for my soul ; so 
that every one of their convent shall (oneretur) be 
charged in their chapter, on their profession and 
conscience, to celebrate for my soul according to 
the proportion which he shall receive. And that 
my obiit may be had in perpetual memory amongst 
them."* 

1381, Stephen Horn, rector of the church of St. Peter of 
Southgate. 

1383, Amabilla Maloysel, sometime the wife of John de 
Holvestone, near the said John. 

1386, Cecilie (daughter of Thomas Lord Bardolf) be- 
queathed her body to be buried in this church, 
where the before-mentioned William Lord Morley, 
her late husband, lay interred. And died the 
same year.f 

1386, Henry Martyn of East Carleton, chaplain. 

1401, Alice Hemgrave, Lady (Dame) of Mutford, by her 

husband ; (she was daughter of John Lile.)+ 
1417, Sir Thomas Gyney, knight. 

14££, Sir John Geney, knight, and dame Alice his wife, 

obiit 1454,§ near the grave of Roger, his son. 
1433, Richard Gybbes of Norwich. 

1435, John Peverell of Melton Magna. 

1436, Nicholas Botyld, citizen of Norwich. 

1439, John Holm of Norwich, near the monument of 

Margaret, his wife. 
1444, Thomas Wetherby, esq. of Carhowe, in the north 

part of the church of Austin Friars. He bequeathed 



* Regist. Heydon, f. 161. f Duijd. Baron, vol. II., p. 27. 
\ Weever. § Weever. 



140 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



a. d. to them twenty shillings, and also five marks. — 

He was sometime mayor of the city. 
1445, Margaret, who was the wife of Thomas Whitefare 

of Norwich. 

1445, Also William Maggessone, citizen of Norwich, reder. 

1446, Sir Thomas Kerdestone, knight, by will, dated the 

first of July, 1446, and proved the fourth of May, 
1448, willed to be buried in the church aforesaid. 
" Item. — I bequeath to the prior and convent of the 
Austin Friars three hundred marks, under condition 
that the said prior and convent shall find sufficient 
security to my executors, that they, the said prior 
and convent, will find for ever three (confratres) 
friars of the same house, (non conductitios) not 
hired (priests) to celebrate for my soul, and for the 
souls of Elizabeth and Philippa my wives, and of 
all my progenitors. Item. — I bequeath to the high 
altar of the Austin Friars aforesaid, one silver 
cross for the procession, one pair of silver basons, 
covered ; so that there be written in the circum- 
ference, or round about the same basons, e Orate 
pro animabus Thome Kerdestone, militis, and 
Philippe uxoris sue, filie Johannis Trussell, 
militis.' "* 

1457, Margaret Wetherby, late wife of Thomas Wetherby, 
esq. deceased, willed to be buried in the said 
church, near the body of the aforesaid Thomas. 
"Item. — I bequeath one hundred marks for the 
building of a new library, within the convent of 
the said Austin Friars, to be there built anew, and 
erected under this condition, that, in the glass of 
the windows, (et in singulis disci's librorum) and 

* Reg. Wylbey, f. 137. 



IN NORWICH. 141 

A. D. 

on every one of the desks for the books (ad memo- 
riam. futurorum) for reminding those who shall 
come after, our names, (namely, of me, and of 
Thomas Wetherby my spouse,) may be written and 
intituled. For which said sum the prior and con- 
vent of the said Austin Friars have granted me, by 
their letters patent, sealed with their common seal, 
one friar, (capellanmn) a priest, to celebrate yearly 
in their said church for ever, for our souls, and for 
the soul of the Lord John Wakeryng, late bishop 
of Norwich, of good memory, and for those we are 
bound to." — (The Lady Alice Pegott, prioress of 
Carhowe, was one of her executors.*) 

1460, John Bacon the elder, esq., willed to be buried in 
the said church, near the grave of Maude, late his 
wife. "Item. — I bequeath to the convent aforesaid, 
twelve marks for repair of necessaries, so that the 
prior thereof shall provide two friars to celebrate 
for our souls for one whole year." — (He was son of 
Sir Roger Bacon, says Weever.) f 

1462, John Bakon, late of Baconesthorppe, esq., son and 
heir of John Bakone, late of the same, esq., now 
dwelling in the city of Norwich, 1462, willed to be 
buried in the said church, near the grave of his 
said father, and of Maude, his mother. — Also, he 
bequeathed to the same prior and convent towards 
the repair of their church and for a new vestment, 
five marks. — Also, Margaret ' his wife was here 
buried, saith Mr. Weever. $ 

1462, Also, Elizabeth, late wife of Sir Ralph Bigott, knight, 
willed to be buried in the said church the year 
aforesaid. § 

* Reg. Brosyard, f. 83. f Reg. Brosyard, f. 214. 

\ Reg. Brosyard, f. 304. § Reg. Brosyard, f. 316. 



142 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1465, Margery Veer, late wife of Walter Veer, citizen of 
Norwich, near the grave of John Fowler, her 
father. 

1475, John Wymondham, senior, esq., and bequeathed to 
the same house, to pray for his soul and the souls of 
his ancestors, twenty pounds, to be ^aid by five 
marks per annum, until all was paid.* 

1475, aforesaid. Also, Alice Wychyngham willed to be 
buried in the said Austin Friars' church, or near 
the grave of Edmund Wychyngham, esq., late her 
husband, who died in 1472.f 

1477, J ohn Thurtone, citizen of Norwich, rafman, near the 
grave of Sibilla his wife, and gave twenty shillings 
towards the repairs of the monastery. 

1480, John Bulwarde of Brakendelle, yeoman, "beforne 
the ymage of our lady le pite, in the north syde of 
the chyrche." 

1485, Robert Skeltone, and gave six shillings and eight- 
pence and five marks. 

1492, Edmund Southwelle of Norwich, chaplain, and gave 
to the same church twenty shillings. " Item. — 
I bequeath to the common Gild of St. Augustine, 
held by the shomakers, in the church of the said 
friars, three shillings and four-pence. Item. — I be- 
queath to the Gild of the Holy Cross held there, 
twelve-pence."* 

1496, John Brygham, and gave forty shillings. 

1501, Margaret Holonde. 

1502, Thomas Smythe, lime-burner, before the Holy-Rood, 

in the body of the church, and gave twenty 
shillings. 

1515, Thomas Berney of Norwich, gentleman, willed to be 
buried in the said church of the Friars Austin ; — 

• Reg Gelour, f. 116. f Weever. f Reg. Wolman, f. 195. 



IN NORWICH. 143 

A. D. 

He mentions Kateryn his wife, and made his mother, 
Alys Berney, and his brother, John Berney, 
executors * 

1535, Richard Chrispyne, gentleman, willed to be buried 
in the said church, " on the north syde of Maistre 
Soterley's squier's grave." f 
1537, Katherin Heywarde of Norwich, (widow of William 
Heywarde) willed to be buried " in the Freres 
Augustene in Norwich. Item. — To the saide 
howse of freres I bequeth ten pounds sterling, to 
be paid at thirteen shillings and four-pence per 
annum ; provided the said freres, duryng the time 
of payment, yerely kepe therefor an obyte, with 
mass of requiem for my sowle and my late hus- 
band's : and also to be prayd for in ther booke of 
Quia Jidem for ever."^ 
Besides the above-mentioned, Mr. Weever has given 
us an account of other persons of note here buried, as fol- 
loweth, namely, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Tyrrun Rosa- 

bart ; Elizabeth, wife of William Garneys ; , son of 

Sir Ralph Pigoot ; Margaret Howard, 1416 ; Sir John 
Howell, knight ; Sir Robert Ufford ; Dame Margery, wife 
of Sir Edward Hastings and of Sir John Wyndham, 
daughter of Robert Clifton, 1456 ; Dame Katherine Ferris, 
wife of Sir John RadclifTe, 1452 ; Jone, wife of Robert 
Boys, daughter of Wychingham, 1400 ; Sir Tho- 

mas, Lord Morley, obiit in Calais ; Sir Robert Morley and 
Dame Anne his wife ; John Morley, esq. ; Thomas Soterly, 
esq. and Elizabeth his wife, obierunt 1477. § 

I have also found mention of several other benefactors 
to these friars : as in the last will of Joan, who was the wife 



* Reg. Gylys, 7 Henry vm , f. 123. f Reg. Godsalve, f. 88. 
\ Reg. Hill t f. 36. § Weever's Fun. Monum. 



144 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



of Sir Robert de Castone, knight, proved the Tuesday after 
the feast of St. Katherine, 13 Edward n., a. d. 1319. 
" Item. — I bequeath my messuage in the parish of St. 
J ames to be sold, and of the money thence arising I give 
to the Austin Friars in Norwich, ten marks, to celebrate 
two annuals for my soul and for the souls of Ralph and 

Robert * 

Joan Fraunsham, sometime dwelling in Norwich, late 
wife of Geffrey Fraunsham, esq., who, in her will, proved 
before the mayor and sheriffs of the city, the twenty- 
seventh of July, 10 Henry v., (inter alia), bequeathed as 
follows : "Moreover, I will that my messuage in Consford, 
which was sometime Henry Rafman's, with the gardens 
annexed, &c, be sold by my executors, and the sum of one 
hundred marks thence arising shall be given to the friars 
of the order of St. Augustine, to celebrate for my soul, 
under the form which (patent), by an instrument, I have 
notified to the prior and others of the same order. The 
residue of all my goods I give and bequeath into the hands 
of my executors, whom I ordain and constitute to be Richard 
Shurlok, esq. and my son, Master Thomas Sharyngton, of 
the order of St. Augustine, and Sir Thomas Sharyngton, 
priest ; that they may perforin my last will, and piously dis- 
pose for my soul and for the souls to whom I am most 
bound, as I have by word of mouth declared to them, and 
in writings patent have inserted, &c."f 

A. D. 

1452, Robert Blyklyng of Norwich, esq. — " I will that 
the Austin Friars should celebrate in their con- 
ventual church placebo, with the exequies, when 
they shall be warned (by my executors) ; and on 
the day following, at nine of the clock, a mass 
of St. Mary, at which said mass they are bound 

* Rot. Cart. 13 Edward II. f Rot. Cart. Civ 10 Henry v. 



IN NORWICH. 145 

A. D. 

for ever to pray for the souls of Simon Blyklyng 
and other their benefactors, as in the indentures 
between them made, more fully appeareth. And 
I bequeath to them, moreover, that they may in 
like manner duly have in perpetual remembrance, 
in the mass aforesaid, the souls of Roger Blyklyng, 
and of Anne his wife, and of me, the aforesaid 
Robert, and of Margaret my wife, and of our 
parents and benefactors, forty shillings."* 
1470, William Petyson, citizen of Norwich, fishman, 
bequeathed to the repair of their church, twenty 
shillings, f 

1473, Sampson Bocle, (or Boole) to the repair of their 
houses, forty shillings.:}: 

1516, Isabell Norwich, widowe, willed to be buried in the 
churchyard of St. Martyn at the Bayle, in Norwich. 
" Item. — I will have songe at Scala Celt, five masses 
at the Austin Friars, in Norwich. Item. — I will 
have a trentall songe for my sowle, and all my 
frendys sowles, at the four orders of Freres, in 
Norwich." § 

Concerning the Scala Celt, or Ladder of Fleaven, I 
have found mention also of a Scala Celt at London ;|| and 
of a chapel at Westminster, called Scala Celi.^l The people 
were made to believe, that the saying of masses at one of 
these altars of Scala Celt procured very extraordinary 
benefit to the soul, when in purgatory : but the principal 
was the Scala Celt at Rome, which is mentioned before. 
All the other places under that name were so many small 
branches of it, and purchased, no doubt, for good sums 
of money. 

* Reg. Aleyn, f. 230. f Reg. Jekhjs, f. 173. \ Reg. Paynot., f. 15. 
§ Reg. Archid. Norw. \\ Reg. Spyllimber, f. 315. «f Reg. Spirleng, f. 23. 

L 



146 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



It being found for the benefit of the friars that they 
should be executors of the wills of rich persons, contrary 
to the rules of their order, licences were therefore granted 
to some of them, that they might be ready qualified against 
an occasion of advantage offered. Take a note of one 
such licence : — " Be it known to all men, that I, Friar John, 
unworthy prior-provincial of the Friars Hermits of the 
order of St. Austin, in England, have granted licence to 
Friar John Alriche, of the convent of Norwich, to appear 
before any ordinaries, for the executorship of two or three 
testaments of his friends, and to observe them effectually. 
Dated in the convent of Norwich, a. d. 1366, the twenty- 
third of July."* 



THE CHURCH. 

The length of the church of the Austin Friars of 
Norwich contained one hundred and forty (gradus) paces ; 
the breadth of it, thirty-eight paces. The length, from 
the west part of the choir, and through the nave of the 
church to the east window, seventy-two paces. 

The arms of Sir John Fastolf, knight, are in the first 
window, on the north side of the choir, before the prin- 
cipal altar. The length of the body of the nave of the 
church (citra) on this side the (valvas) doors, contained 
sixty paces.f 

ALTARS MENTIONED. 

The rode altar, a. d. 1485 ; the altar of Scala Celt in 
the Austin Friars, a.d. 1518. 

* Reg. Cobalde, f. 93. 
f Willis' Priors, 8fc, Addend, p. 329, from Will, of Worcester's Survey, 
made in Henry the sixth's time, p. 149. 



IN NORWICH: 



147 



IMAGES. 

Image of St. Laurence, a.d. 1512; a light before trie 
image of St. Margaret, a.d. 1525; the images of St. Chris- 
topher and St. Erasmus here are also mentioned.* 

GUILDS. 

The guild of St. Margaret, in the Austin Friars, 
a.d. 1512, 1516, and 1529. 

The guild of St. Austin, held by the shoemakers, and 
the guild of the Holy Cross, held there a.d. 1492. 

PRIORS. 

Frater Eicherus de Lammesse, Prior Fratrum Ord. 
S. Aug. Norwic. a. d. 1367.f 

Doctor Hugh ; and after him, the twenty- 
seventh and twenty-ninth years of Henry the eighth, 
Doctor Stokes was prior. % 

A.D. 1538. — Upon the suppression of the houses of 
friars in general, this monastery of the Austin Friars was 
also suppressed on the twenty-ninth of August, and wholly 
dissolved by the king's commission^ As far as I can find, 
the church was presently demolished, as afterwards the 
buildings of the monastery, so that now nothing of them 
remains to be seen ; the place where all stood being made 
gardens long since, and known by the name of the LorcCs 
Garden, on the east side of Conesford street ; having passed 
through many hands since the suppression. 

For first it was in the tenure of Sir John Godsalve, 
knight, (in farm I suppose) : afterwards, namely a.d. 1548, 

* Coll. D. Tanner. Cane, ex Depos. N. 183. 
f Coll. D. Tanner. Cane, ex Instrum. super approp. E. S. Mick. Conesf. 
f Lib. Cur. 27 Henry vm. — Comp. Corner. 29 Henry vin. 
§ See before, p. 41. 

L 2 



148 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



king Edward the sixth granted the premises to Sir Tho- 
mas Hennage of Haynton, in the county of Lincoln, knight, 
and to Sir William Willoughby, knight, Lord Willoughby 
of Parham in the county of Suffolk, in consideration of 
sundry manors, rectories, possessions, &c. conveyed by 
them to the crown ; namely, inter alia, he granted them 
all the site and precinct of the Austin Friars in the city of 
Norwich, and that place of land as it is enclosed with stone 
walls, called Consforthe place, and all the orchards, gardens, 
fishings within the limits and precinct of the said place, 
containing by estimation two acres, now or late in the 
tenure or occupation of Sir John Godsalve, knight, or his 
assigns, in the said city. To hold to them and their heirs 
of the king, as of the honour of Bollingbrooke, in the said 
county of Lincoln, by fealty only, in free socage, and not in 
capite. By his letters patent, dated at Burnedyche, the 
seventeenth of August, in the second year of his reign.* 
The same year, the eighteenth of October, they sold it to 
Sir John Godsalve afore-mentioned. 

A. D. 

1557, William Godsalve to William Myngay, the twenty- 
third of February, the third and fourth years of 
Philip and Mary. 

1561, William Myngay to John Otber, alias Barnard, the 
fifteenth of April, the third year of Elizabeth. 

1564, John Otber to Andrew Quash, the fifteenth of 
February, the sixth year of Elizabeth. 

1566, Andrew Quash, to Robert Green the elder, the 
twentieth of June, the eighth year of Elizabeth. 

1590, A recovery was had of the premises in the Guildhall 
court of Norwich, before the mayor and sheriffs, 
by virtue of a writ of right, by John Pettus, mer- 

* Pat. 2 Edward vi., pars 7. 



IN NORWICH. 



149 



chant, and Augustine Whall, grocer, against Tho- 
mas Pettus, jun. and Richard Whall, which said 
John and Augustine thereupon granted the same 
to Robert Greene of Norwich, gentleman, and 
John Blundevyle of Catton, gentleman, then heirs 
and assigns, to have and to hold to the use fol- 
lowing : namely, to the use of Theodora, the wife 
of the said John Blundevyle, (and mother of the 
said Robert Greene) for the term of her life, and 
after her decease then to the use of the said Robert 
Greene, his heirs and assigns for ever. So that 
he, his heirs, executors, or administrators, should 
pay to the said John Blundevyle, at the first feast 
of St. Michael next after the decease of the said 
Theodora, if he should be then alive, twenty 
pounds ; and at Lady Day next, other twenty 
pounds, if he should be then alive ; and so at every 
feast of St. Michael and Lady Day during his life, 
twenty pounds, &c. Dated the twenty-second of 
June, the thirty-second year of Elizabeth. 
And therefore, the thirty-sixth year of Elizabeth, the 
premises are mentioned by the name of " Mr. Blundevyle, 
his ground, called the Augustine Freres," and mention is 
made of a cockey or drain through it.* 

A. D. 

1603, Robert Greene, the son, sold the premises to Sir 
William Paston and Mr. John Jermy, by inden- 
ture dated the fourth of May, the first year of 
James. 

1609, They, to Sir Thomas Knyvett. 

1631, Thomas Knyvett of Ashwellthorp, esq., (grand-child 
and heir of Sir Thomas Knyvett, knight, late of 

* Lib. Cony. 36 Elizabeth, f. 128. 



150 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the same, deceased) and Katherine his wife, sold 
the premises for two hundred and thirty pounds, 
to Peter Witherick of Norwich, innkeeper,* by- 
indenture dated the seventeenth of January, 6 Car. 

The same year (the plague being then in Norwich,) 
two aldermen were appointed by the court of mayoralty, 
the twentieth of April, 1631, to confer with Peter Witherick, 
about hiring of his close in Conesford, called "the Fryers," 
for pest-houses there to be made, who would let his said 
close to this city for fourteen pounds per annum. f But I 
don't find that pest-houses were built in it : neither was it a 
proper place, being too much within the city. Afterwards 
it came into the hands of the Lord Henry Howard, (about 
1662), who built a pleasure-house at the north-west corner, 
next the street, and made fine gardens here, and main- 
tained them at a great expense ; whence it has been ever 
since called by the name of " my Lord's Garden." A fine 
bowling-green was in it and pleasant gravel walks, whither 
the ladies were used daily to resort towards even, during 
the time of the assizes in this city, to divert themselves 
with walking. Mr. * * * Bosely is now the owner, and lets 
it out to a gardener, who broke up the bowling-ground, &c, 
to plant trees and other things to his best profit. 



THE WHITE FRIARS. 
Concerning the Carmelites, or White Friars, we are 
told that, about a. d. 1200, (others sayA.D. 1160,) the order 
of the Carmelites was instituted in Syria, at Mount Carmel, 
by Albert, patriarch of Jerusalem — a man famous for learn- 
ing and sanctity, who composed,* (others say Brocardus, their 

* Cart. Sfc. P. L.N.N. f Lib. Cur. Bale, Cent. III. 41. 



IN NORWICH. 



151 



second (preses) governor, composed,) and Albert abridged 
and confirmed a rule for them, and granted them many privi- 
leges. He appointed for their habit that they should wear 
an upper (capam) cloak {ex serico) of silk, encompassed 
round with certain large borders, namely, of white and 
grey, after the manner (as they say) of Elijah the prophet, 
or Elisha : others say they were striped of white and 
reddish or russet. This order was spread over the world 
in abundance, but suffered much opposition from adver- 
saries. At length, Pope Honorius the third, in the first year 
of his popedom, (namely a. d. 1217) changing first their 
bordered {clamydas) cloaks or mantles, for the honour 
of Blessed Mary, into white only, approved and confirmed 
this order, under the title of Blessed Mary the Virgin, of 
Mount Carmel.* 

A. D. 

1240, These friars came first into England.f 
1260, The Carmelite Friars, seeing the hatred and of- 
fence taken by the people against the preachers 
and minors, shook off from themselves the offices 
of inquisition and execution of causes, together 
with the care of nuns. For which reason, there 
were always fewer cardinals of this order and of 
the Austin Friars, than of the other sects of men- 
dicants 4 

1285, Pope Honorius the fourth attained the triple crown. 
He confirmed the order of the Carmelites, and 
gave them many privileges ; which order had not 
been sufficiently approved in the Later an council, 
and was impugned by many persons. § 

* Suppl, Suppli. Chronicarum. 
f Leland, de Script. Britan. c. 275. Bale, Script. Cent. iv. 1. 
\ Bale, Script. Cent. iv. 31. § Suppl. Suppli. Chronicarum. 



152 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Mr. Weever hath related the foundation of their 
monastery, in Norwich, thus, namely, — " The religious 
monastery of the White Friars, or Carmelites, was founded 
by Philip Cowgate, a rich merchant, and mayor of this 
city, a. d. 1268, who, when he had made an end of the 
fabrick thereof, which he endowed with fair possessions, 
took upon him the habit and order of a Carmelite, and en- 
tered the house, wherein he ended his days."* 

But in this account are some plain mistakes, as in 
calling the founder a mayor of Norwich, when there was 
no such officer here till more than an hundred years after, 
(neither was he one of the bailiffs ;) a mistake also in the 
year, and in saying he endowed them with possessions, &c. 

A plain and authentic account of their foundation 
here remains in one of the books of the guildhall of 
Norwich, under the title of " Evidencie ad cognoscend. 
scituationem fratrum Carmelitarum Ordinis beate Marie 
Virginis" wherein are extracts of several ancient deeds, 
namely : — " Know all men present and to come, that I, 
Philip, the son of Warin, son of Adam Arnald, have given 
and granted, and by my present charter confirmed, to 
Master William de Southfeld, archdeacon of Norwich, and 
to his heirs or assigns, all my messuage in the city of Nor- 
wich, with all buildings contained in it in Cowgate," &c. 
Which said messuage the friars of the order aforesaid 
entered to inhabit a. d. 1256, the fortieth year of the 
reign of king Henry, the son of king John. And this 
charter was read and delivered by the hands of Philip, the 
son of Warin, son of Adam, in a full court of Norwich, on 
the Thursday next after the Feast of St. Matthew, in the 
forty-first year of the said king Henry. " To all people 
who shall see or hear this present writing, Master William 

* Weever*s Fun. Man. 



IN NORWICH. 



153 



de Southfeld, archdeacon of Norwich, greeting. Know 
ye all, that that whole messuage which I bought (emi*) of 
Philip Cowgate, the son of Warin, son of Adam Arnald, 
in the city of Norwich, with all the buildings in the same 
messuage contained. If the friars of Carmel there shall 
not inhabit the said messuage, or, after they have begun 
to inhabit it, shall leave it with a purpose (animof) of not 
dwelling there longer, it shall revert to the said Philip and 
his heirs, freely, quietly, and entirely, without the contra- 
diction of me, or my heirs, or successors, or assigns," &c. 

" Know, &c, that I, John de Norwich, son of Basilla 
de Cowgate, have given, granted, and by these presents 
have confirmed to God and Blessed Mary and all Saints, 
and to the friars of Mount Carmel, residing in the city of 
Norwich, namely, in Cowgate, there serving God, and to 
their successors, in pure and perpetual alms, for the health 
of my soul, and of my ancestors, my messuage," &c. 

" Know all men, that I, Adam le Blount of Norwich, 
and Agnes Moone my wife, have given, &c. for us and our 
heirs for ever, to the friars of Blessed Mary of Mount 
Carmel, dwelling in the city of Norwich, namely in Cow- 
gate," &c.+ 

In the fourteenth of Edward the first, the jury pre- 
sented before the justices itinerant, that the friars of Mount 
Carmel had made a purpresture in the king's river, which 
contained in length twenty feet, and in breadth two feet.§ 

Afterwards, they obtained by gift or purchase all the 
messuages and grounds adjacent, till at last they had the 
whole of the land, &c, lying between the bridge, from 

* In the Friars' Exemplification, a. d. 1533, it is thus, namely, — 
" Quod mihi dedit et commisit, Philippus, 8fc." 
f -Alias, omnino. \ Lib. Cartar et Placitor. in Guildhall. 
§ Rot. presentationum coram S. de Roff, Sfc. — 14 Edward i. 



154 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



them called White Friars' bridge south, to St. James's 
churchyard north, and from the said street of Cowgate 
west, backward to the walls of the city east. I have seen 
the grants of several parts of it. 

The said friars had licence of king Edward the second, 
to purchase one messuage of Thomas B * * *, in Norwich, 
for enlarging their mansion* 

Also the following instrument was acknowledged be- 
fore the bailiffs of the city, on Tuesday, the eve of St. Mat- 
thew, in the eighth year of Edward the third : — " To 
all, &c. Friar Thomas de Salthous, prior of the Carmelite 
Friars of Norwich, and the convent of the same, greeting. 
Whereas, we have for enlarging our mansion purchased 
one messuage sometime of Richard ate Grene, lying be- 
tween our mansion north, and the river of Wensum and 
the messuage sometime of Alane de Cattone south, where- 
of the east head abutteth on our aforesaid messuage, and 
the west head abutteth on the king's way ; and the same 
head extendeth itself directly over against the street which 
is called Fisheregate, to hold to us and our successors, 
which said messuage is held immediately of the prior and 
convent of Hikelingg, by the service of forty -pence yearly. 
We therefore, for having the licence of the same prior and 
convent for purchasing and entering upon their said fee, 
do grant and acknowledge for us and our successors to hold 
the said messuage of the aforesaid prior and convent and 
their successors, by the service of forty-pence aforesaid, to 
be paid them yearly."f 

N. B. — The licence of Richard, prior, and the convent 
of Hickling, for the friars to purchase this messuage, is 
entered the same day in the roll. 



* Pat. 16 Edward n., pars 1, m. 30. P. L.N.N, f Rot. Cart. 8 Edward in. 



IN NORWICH. 



155 



The said friars had the tenements on the north side 
of this messuage before the thirty-third year of Edward 
the first. For, among the presentments of the leet this 
year, we find William Tutte presented, for having taken 
away a certain boundsmark placed between the friars of 
Mount Carmel and Richard atte Grene.* 

In the eighteenth year of Edward the third, the bailiffs 
and commonalty of Norwich granted, and as much as in 
them lay confirmed, to the said friars and their successors 
for ever, a lane called Seynt James's Wente, in the parish 
of St. James, between the mansion of the said friars west, 
and a messuage sometime of Richard de Erpyngham east, 
and abutting on the the king's way north, and the (regiam 
via?n, lego ripam) king's river south.f 

But, because done without the king's licence, contrary 
to the statute of mortmain, 'therefore the friars were obliged 
to procure the king's pardon, which they obtained of the 
following import : — 

u Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England 
and France, and Lord of Ireland, to all, &c. Know ye, 
that of our special grace we have pardoned to our beloved 
in Christ, the prior and friars, &c, of Norwich, the trans- 
gression which they committed, by acquiring to themselves 
and successors, for the enlargement of their mansion, a 
certain lane in the said city, called f Seynt James's Wente,' 
containing twenty perches in length, and ten feet in breadth, 
of the bailiffs of the same city, without our licence, &c. ; 
and do grant, that they may have and hold the said lane 
for enlargement of their said mansion for ever ; the statute 
of not putting lands to mortmain, &c, notwithstanding. 
Witness myself, at Westminster, the thirteenth of February, 

* Rot. Lete, 33 Edward i. f Doomsday, Civ. f. 78. 



156 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



in the year of our reign of England nineteen, and of 
France the sixth."* 

And, having obtained these additions to their precinct, 
they about this time founded a new, and without doubt, 
a more spacious and magnificent church than their old one 
was. But it was about forty years' time before finished ; 
as may appear from the following extracts out of a manu- 
script of John Bale, in the Bodleian Library in Oxford, 
namely, — 

"A. D. 1343. — We entered the new choir. 

"A. D. 1344. — The new churchyard was dedicated 
by (fratrem) friar or monk, John Paschall, bishop and 
suffragan of William, lord bishop of Norwich. 

" A. D. 1382. — Our church was dedicated by (fratrem) 
friar or monk, Thomas, bishop of Scutari, suffragan of the 
Lord Henry Spenser, bishop of Norwich."! 

King Richard the second also licensed them to obtain 
another messuage, as follows, namely, — 

" Richard, by the Grace of God, King of England 
and France, and Lord of Ireland, to all, &c. Although 
the statute, &c, — of our special grace, and for half a 
mark paid us into our hamper, we have granted, &c, to 
Adam Pope, parson of the church of Southreppys, Reginald 
de Ekkles, Henry Lymnour, Nicholas de Blakeneye, and 
Jeffrey de Somertone, that they may give and assign to 
our beloved in Christ, the prior and friars of the order of 
Blessed Mary of Mount Carmel, in Norwich, one messuage, 
and one gardine containing ten perches in length and five 
perches in breadth, with their appurtenances, in Norwich, 
contiguous to the mansion and churchyard of the said friars, 
which are held of us in burgage, and which are worth no- 
thing yearly over and above the reprises, as by an inqui- 

* Lib. Cat tar et PUlor. f Coll. D. Tanner, Cane. 



IN NORWICH. 



157 



sition thereupon made by the exchaetor of Norfolk at our 
command, and returned into our chancery has been found, 
to hold to them and their successors for ever, for enlarge- 
ment of their said mansion. Witness myself at West- 
minster, the ninth day of June, in the third year of our 
reign."* 

In the langable rental of the fourth of Henry the 
seventh, these friars are charged (in St. Edmund's parish) 
two-pence half-penny for divers tenements which they had 
purchased. 

After these friars were settled here, the prior and 
monks of the cathedral church, being jealous (as well they 
might) that the friars would intercept some of the oblations 
usually paid to their parish churches adjacent, did there- 
fore procure from the said friars the following instrument, 
namely : — 

" To all the faithful people of Christ, to whom the 
present writing shall come, the Friars of Mount Carmel, 
in Norwich, greeting in the Lord. Know ye all, that by 
the tenor of these presents, we have obliged ourselves, for 
us and our successors {sub religione Sacramenti nostri,) 
under our solemn oath, that we will not knowingly receive 
any oblations from the parishioners of the churches of the 
lord prior and the convent of Norwich, namely, of the 
churches of St. Martin before the gates of the bishop in 
Norwich, of St. James, and of St. Paul, to the damage of 
the churches aforesaid. And if any thing of oblation shall 
be received by us of the said parishioners, we will presently 
restore it to the said churches. In testimony of which 
thing, we have caused our seal to be affixed to the present 
writing, and have procured the seal of the consistory of 
Norwich to be affixed."! 

* Lib. Cart, et Placitor. Pat. 3, R. 2. part 3, m.... 
f Reg. 1, E. Cath. N. f. 260. 



158 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



I have seen the original thereof in the cathedral 
church. — It has no date, but is in a hand of Henry the 
third, or Edward the first's time. The friar's seal is lost ; 
but the label to which it was fixed remains, whereon is 
written part of a line of the same hand with the deed, and 
seems to have been designed at first for the beginning of 
the said deed, namely, " Fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum 
pervenerit frater Rogerus ;" so that one Roger was probably 
at that time prior of the White Friars. The seal of the 
consistory remains, and it is the same with that which is 
affixed to William Dunwich's wife's will, namely, a church. 

The two following compositions were afterwards made 
between them, namely : — 

" Know all men by (these) presents, that whereas cer- 
tain matters of discord have been moved between the prior 
and convent of the cathedral church, and the prior and 
convent of Carmelites, by occasion of the acquiring and 
occupation of messuages, late being in the parish of 
St. James, in the city of Norwich, which the said prior and 
convent of the friars of the order of Carmelites of the said 
city have lately included in their close and mansion, and 
of the subtraction of the oblations and other parish-rights 
of the servants of the same friars in their conventual-house 
with them there dwelling, belonging to the said parish 
church of St. James, and to the parish church of St. Martin, 
at the gates of the palace of the bishop of Norwich, in 
Norwich, &c. Now it is with mutual consent agreed, 
namely, that the said prior and convent of the Carmelites 
and their successors shall yearly pay to the said prior and 
convent of the cathedral church of Norwich and their suc- 
cessors, two shillings of sterling, for the said messuages so 
included, &c." 

" To all the faithful people of Christ, who shall inspect 
or hear the present letters : — Friar Walter de Dysse, prior 



IN NORWICH. 



159 



of the house of the friars of the order of Blessed Mary of 
Mount Carmel, in the city of Norwich, and the convent of 
the same place, send greeting, and (desire that) firm credit be 
given to these presents. Know ye all, that, whereas between 
the reverend and religious men, brother Nicholas de Hoo, 
prior of the monastery or cathedral church of the Holy 
Trinity of Norwich, and the convent of the same monas- 
tery or church, (in proprios usus canonice obtinentes) who 
have canonically obtained to their own proper uses certain 
parish churches, and amongst the rest (those) of the saints 
Vedast, Margaret in Fybriggate, All Saints, St. Saviour, 
Paul, James, Martin (at the gates of the bishop,) Giles, 
Gregory, Stephen, Sepulchre, John of Berstrete, Peter of 
per Mountergate, Cuthbert, Mary the Little, Holy Cross, 
Margaret of Newbrygge, George of Muspol, Olave, Martin 
of Coslayne, and Etheldred, in Norwich, of the one part ; 
and us, Friar Walter, the prior and convent of the aforesaid 
house of the other part, on occasion of the sepulture of the 
bodies of the parishioners of either sex, of the same prior 
and convent of the cathedral church at our same house, 
choosing to be buried ; and of the fourth part of the funeral 
obventions, and others of the same persons so choosing, 
there has been a great (gravis) or grievous matter of ques- 
tion or complaint. At length, the divine inspiration me- 
diating, we have (conquiemmus) acquiesced in this manner, 
by the present letters obligatory to remain for ever, namely, 
that when, and so often as it shall happen, that a parishioner 
of the same religious men shall be buried at our house, 
we, the prior and friars aforesaid, and our successors in 
the same, priors and friars in their times, successively for 
ever, shall faithfully and entirely (avoiding fraud, deceit, 
and malice) without delay, truly pay a free and entire 
fourth part of all obventions, to be applied to us or to 



160 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



our house for future, on occasion of trie said parishioners. 
And as the preachers and minors, and as much as by force 
of the Clementine constitution, which beginneth u Dudum" 
by the law itself, they are bound, obliged, and constrained, 
and not in other manner, we will to be bound, obliged, and 
constrained to the payment of the aforesaid fourth part, 
(modo et his quibus supra persolvendam) which is to be 
paid them as above-mentioned, according to the whole 
exigence and tenor of the said constitution, speaking of 
the friars preachers and minors, and we bind ourselves 
and our successors, priors and friars in the same, and the 
house itself, effectually by (these) presents. In testimony 
of all which things, we have affixed the common seal of 
our house or our chapter to these presents. Given in our 
chapter-house at Norwich, the eighteenth day of the 
month November, anno domini one thousand three hun- 
dred and seventy-six." 

Accordingly, we find in the yearly accounts of the 
several officers of the monastery of the cathedral church, 
payments made to them by the said friars. As, in the 
account of the precentor, in the ninth year of Henry 
the sixth : — " Received of the Carmelite Friars, at the 
feasts (or synods, as it is in another account) of St .Michael 
and Easter, for (or in lieu of) the profits formerly arising 
from the parishioners who dwelt in the messuages, some 
time of John Pulham and Richard Erpyngham, in the 
parish of St. James, included in their (clausuram) close 
(or precinct), and for the offerings of their servants, 
two shillings. Item. — For the rent of a certain shop, some 
time of Richard Thedham, in the Flesh-market of the 
commonalty of Norwich, paid for (or in lieu of the profits 
of the parishioners who dwell in) one messuage, some 

* Reg. 1 Ecchs. Cath. N., f. 2C0. 



IN NORWICH. 



161 



time of the Lady Joan de Castone, included within their 
close, in the parish aforesaid, two shillings." 

And in another accompt, in the second year of 
Edward the fourth, of the same friars, for the messuages 
aforesaid, &c, " and for the canonical fourth part and 
for mortuaries, according to the composition, six shillings 
and eight-pence."* 

Also, the almoner received of them yearly twenty 
pence for the said canonical fourth part and for mor- 
tuaries, according to the composition aforesaid.f In like 
manner, the refectorarius received eight-pence for the 
same.* And the infirmarius received of the precentor, 
three shillings and four-pence for his part of the said friars' 
composition-money .§ Because some of the aforesaid churches 
were appropriated to one of the said offices, some to another, 
as elsewhere appears, therefore each of those offices re- 
ceived a proportion of the allowance or payment aforesaid. 

A. D. 1270. — In a full synod of the order of Carmelites, 
held at Norwich, William Hanaherg, a Carmelite of London, 
was constituted prior-provincial of the said order in England, 
upon the decease of Roger Crostwick, his predecessor. || 

A. D. 1401. — In September, Thomas Arundell, arch- 
bishop of Canterbury, came to Norwich, to compose the 
differences between the bishop and the prior and convent 
of Norwich, and lodged at the Friars Carmelites.^! 

A. D. 1488. — The Carmelite Friars acknowledged the 
mayor, aldermen, and citizens of Norwich for their founders, 
by the following canting instrument : — 

" To the man of discretion to be extolled, the mayor 
of the city of Norwich, to the aldermen, sheriffs, merchants, 

* Compot, Precentoris, E Cath. — 9 Henry VI. and 2 Edward iv. 
f Compot. Elemosin. E. Cath — 2 Edward iv., 1 Richard m., &c. 

f Compot. Refect. E. Cath 1496. § Compot. Infirm.— \5\5. 

|| Bale, Script. Cent., iv., 45. f Reg. Rub. Burg., f. 37. 



m 

IQ2 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

and the rest of the con-citizens of the same city, present 
and to come, for ever. Your continual orators and poor 
servants, Friar John, prior-provincial of the order of 
Blessed Mary, the mother of God, of Mount Carmel, and 
the {diffinitores) judges of the provincial chapter of the 
order aforesaid, celebrated in the town of Brunham, anno 
domini one thousand four hundred and eighty six, on the 
feast of the assumption of the glorious virgin, (wisheth) 
all manner (reverentiam) of worship and honour, and to 
live in him always who saveth those that hope in him. 
(Recolendi viri,) honourable men, we acquaint your wor- 
ships that Philip Cowgate, a citizen and sometime a mer- 
chant of your very noble city, was the first founder of our 
convent in the same ; who being departed from this valley 
of tears, we have not been able to find unto this present 
any one whom we so lawfully might or may call founder 
as the merchants and other con-citizens of your city, even 
as (vivce vocis oraculo) by word of mouth, Friar Thomas 
Waterpytte, Bachelor of Divinity, prior of the said convent 
of your aforesaid city, has more fully signified to your wor- 
ships, upon whose supplications and instances, for the 
reverence of the virgin and mother of God, special pro- 
tectress and patroness of the same order, (vestrce devocionis 
circumscripta probitas) the strict soundness of your devo- 
tion favourably (consenserit) consented. That thenceforth 
the name of founder of the aforesaid convent should be 
ascribed to your very worthy persons, for whom, for reward 
(thereof) together with the benefits to us, and for the profit 
of the friars exhibited by you, we have decreed that prayers 
be poured out with the rest of the founders of other con- 
vents, to be done for ever. Oh ! how happy and how holy 
a purpose and great indication of a christian mind ! What 
can be thought of more blessed, what more holy, than in 



IN NORWICH. 



163 



this mortal body to do that thing without delay, whereby 
the [consortium) fellowship of eternal felicity may be ob- 
tained ? which cannot be done, if, whilst in the body, any 
one neglects to purchase the very delectable suffrages of 
the church. Witness Augustine, de Okitate Dei, thus 
(applaudente) approving, (Frustra hoc homo post hoc corpus 
inquirit, quod, hoc cor pore potitus, sibi comparare neglexit,) 
in vain does a man seek that thing after this body, which, 
whilst in this body, he neglected to obtain. We therefore, 
by our authority, by the tenor of (these) presents, do admit 
you all as united, and accept for founders of our convent of 
your aforesaid city for ever. And, as much as with God 
we can, we grant you a perpetual participation of all the 
masses, prayers, fastings, watchings, preachings, abstinences, 
indulgences, labours, and of all other the good things which 
the clemency of (our) Saviour shall vouchsafe to be wrought 
by our brethren, in the province of England ; humbly 
praying God, that he will remove from you all things that 
are hurtful, and grant you all things which may profit. 
These things are done, the year, day, and place above- 
mentioned, and by the venerable men, John Wellys then 
mayor, and John Pynchemore and John Castre, sheriffs, 
and also by the aldermen and all the citizens, approved, 
ratified, and granted. In testimony of all which things, to 
the one part of this indenture, remaining with the aforesaid 
mayor and the rest of the con-citizens, in the common chest 
of the often-mentioned city, the aforesaid prior and convent 
have caused their common seal to be affixed. And to the 
other part of the same indenture, remaining with the 
aforesaid prior and convent, the mayor, sheriffs, and the 
rest of the con-citizens before-mentioned have affixed their 
common seal of the city. Dated the eleventh day of the 
month of May, anno domini one thousand four hundred 

m 2 



1(34 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



and eighty-eight, and in the third year of the reign of king- 
Henry the seventh, after the Conquest.''* 

A. D. 1498. — At an assembly held on the third day of 
May, the following instrument of privilege was granted to 
the said friars, namely, — 

" To all faithful people of Christ, to whom the present 
writing shall come, the mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, and com- 
monalty of the city of Norwich, perpetual founders of the 
house and church of the Friars Carmelites in Norwich, ever- 
lasting health in the Lord. Know ye that we, the aforesaid 
mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, and commonalty {intuitu caritatis) 
in the way of charity, and for perpetual memory of the 
thing, have given and granted to the prior and convent of 
the house and church aforesaid, and to their successors, 
that they and their successors for ever be quit of all toll 
and custom towards us and our successors, and all our 
officers, of and for their carriages in and through the whole 
city, for their own proper things, in any manner from 
henceforth to be conducted or carried, as well by land as 
by water, in and through the whole city, for the sustenta- 
tion of their house. Provided always, that if the aforesaid 
prior and convent, or their successors, under colour of this 
grant (provocant seu provocari faciunt) shall procure, or 
cause to be procured, any person to bring or carry into the 
aforesaid city, by land or by water, under the name of 
the said prior and convent, or of their successors, any 
goods or chattels which shall not belong to the special 
sustentation of the aforesaid house, to defraud the before- 
mentioned mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, and commonalty, and 
their successors, of their toll and custom; and this shall 
be proved before the mayor of the city aforesaid for the 
time being, and two or three of his brethren, by two or 

* Autograph in Guildhall Civitatis. 



IN NORWICH. 



165 



three credible persons of the aforesaid city; then the 
present grant shall be void and held for nothing. In 
testimony of which thing, the common seal of the city of 
Norwich is appended to the presents. Dated in the 
guildhall of the said city, in a full assembly there held, on 
the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, in the 
thirteenth year of the reign of king Henry the seventh, 
after the conquest."* 

A confirmation of the preceding account of the founda- 
tion of the said white friars' monastery, and of the title 
of founder to the city, we have in the following instrument; 
as also mention of the claim made thereto on the part of 
the Earl of Northumberland. — " To the worshipful man, 
the prefect or mayor of the city of Norwich, to the 
aldermen, sheriffs, and merchants, and the rest of the 
con-citizens of the same city, present and to come, your 
always humble orators and perpetual poor servants, Friar 
Thomas, doctor of sacred divinity and prior of the convent, 
in Norwich, of the friars of the order of Mary the 
Mother of God, of Mount Carmel, and all the friars of 
the said convent, greeting, and to live always in Him who 
saveth those which hope in Him: — because lately, when 
we humbly appealed to you, that you would acknowledge 
our place (for) your foundation, by yearly visiting it, 
whereby it might be the more publicly known to all and 
singular the inhabitants of this city, that they, by this 
name (namely, of founder) do more particularly above 
others participate of our suffrages, it was reclaimed 
by the honourable man of illustrious family, the Lord 
Alane Percye, (germani fratris) brother of the late Lord 
Henry Percye, Earl of Northumberland, who, before 
(omnium vestrum senatu) your whole assembly, openly 
protested that it could not be done by you without the 
* Lib. Congr. C, fol. 30. 



166 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



greatest injury, not only of the said noble earl, his brother, 
but also of the whole family, alleging that our place was 
in old time founded by his progenitors, which indeed, that 
it was not so, but by one Philip Cowgate, merchant, and 
your con-citizen, was found by our evidences then pro- 
duced and examined. Wherefore, by you (as it is always 
the part of a most righteous judge, inclined to embrace 
the truth, without respect of any, though a great person) 
it was requested that, from the evidences themselves of 
our foundation, we would transfer a copy and exemplar 
into a certain charter, confirmed by our common seal, and 
commend the same into your hands, {unde obstrepentibus 
quibuscunque respondeatur,) that you may always have it 
in readiness, therefrom to answer all those who clamour 
to the contrary. Which said request, whereas it is godly 
and just, would be not only ungrateful but unjust, if we 
should deny it to you. Our first foundation, therefore, so 
far as from our evidences and charters can be collected, 
we have taken care to transfer to you into this charter, 
under the form here following : — f Know all men present 
and to come, that I, Philip, son of Warin, the son of 
Adam Ernold, have given and granted, and by this my 
present charter confirmed, to Master William de Southfeld, 
archdeacon of Norwich, and to his heirs and assigns, all 
my messuage in the city of Norwich, with all the edifices 
contained therein, which lies between the messuage of 
Ralph the chaplain, vicar of Wrottyng, towards the south, 
and that messuage which Robert de Holverstone some time 
held, towards the north, the length whereof extendeth 
itself from the king's way, called Cowgate, on the part of 
the west, unto the ditch which is next the same messuage, 
on the part of the east.' — Thus far in the first charter. 
But, that it may be more fully known to you, for what use 



IN NORWICH. 



167 



and under what conditions the aforesaid Philip committed, 
gave^ and granted the messuage aforesaid, to the said 
Master William de Southfeld, we think it no trouble to 
transcribe for you also, that which is written immediately 
in a certain charter, in this manner : — f To all who shall see 
or hear the present writing, Master William de Southfeld, 
archdeacon of Norwich, greeting, &c, (as before recited.') 
Hitherto, out of the second charter, which heirs and 
successors of the aforesaid Philip we know not to this 
day, nor ever acknowledged others to be, than you the 
mayor, senators or aldermen, merchants and sheriffs, con- 
citizens of the famous city, which, indeed, certain in- 
dentures between us and the mayors our predecessors, 
made anno domini one thousand four hundred and eighty- 
six, in our provincial chapter, celebrated at Brunham, on 
the Feast of the Assumption of Blessed Mary, do testify so 
to be, whereof the one part also remaineth with you, sealed 
with our common seal, the other part in exchange with 
us, confirmed with the common seal of your city ; where 
it is evident that you, by your predecessors, by the unani- 
mous consent of all the citizens, did freely and thankfully 
accept to your persons the title of the foundation, and 
willed that it should thenceforth be ascribed to you. We 
trust therefore, yea, we beseech in the Lord, that, for the 
opposition or reclaim of any persons, ye should not waver, 
hesitating in this matter, forasmuch, as now at length we 
have explained our foundation so manifestly out of our most 
ancient evidences, satisfying your desires in all things. 
For the truth and force whereof, by the unanimous con- 
sent of the whole convent, we have caused our common 
seal to be appended to these presents, anno domini one 
thousand five hundred and thirty-three, on the twenty- 
fourth day of April."* 

* Autograph in Guildhall Civitatis. 



168 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



PERSONS BURIED IN THE CHURCH OF THE WHITE FRIARS. 

It appears that the following persons were buried in 
the church of these friars, from their wills : — 

A. D. 

1373, Sir Geffrey Wyth of Smalbergh, knight. 
1376, John de Saxlinghamthorp, chaplain. 
1391, Sir William de Bradefield. 

1391, Also Alice, sometime wife of Sir Martin Everard, 
knight. 

1423, John de Erlham, citizen and merchant of Norwich. 

1433, Sir Edmund Barry, knight, in the chapel of Blessed 
Mary, and dame Alice his wife, daughter of Sir 
Thomas Gerbrigge.* 

1440, Christina, late wife of Peter Savage of Norwich, in 
the chapel of the Holy Cross, before the image of 
Blessed Ann there.f 

1457, John Saberne of Norwich, hayreman, willed that 
his body should be buried in the holy sepulture 
of the regular or conventual church of the Car- 
melite Friars of Norwich. £ 

1459, William Norwyche, senior, citizen of Norwich, raf- 
man, near the sepulchre of Walter Norwyche, his 
father, and of Agnes, late his, the said William's, 
wife. § 

1467, John Gedge of Norwich, fuller, and gave to the 
repair of their church twenty shillings. || 

1479, William Gladen of Norwich, notary, and gave forty 
shillings ; and to every friar, being a priest, two 
shillings ; and to every other friar eight-pence. 



* Weever. f Reg. Doke, f. 154. \ Reg. Brosyard, f. 92. 

§ Reg. Brosyard, f. 210. |j Reg. Jekkys, f. 73. 



IN NORWICH. 169 

A. D. 

1494, Sir William Calthorpe, knight. " I will that my 
body be buried in the Whyte Frerys, at Norwich, 
where the place of my sepulture is made ; and the 
day of my buryelle, I wylle be disposed to pore 
pepylle, to praie for my sowle, .forty marks in 
pence ; and more if nede be. Also, I wylle that 
the Whyte Fryerys aforesaid have ten marks for 
the repaire of their churche and place ; and they 
to pray for my sowle and frendys sowlys. Item. — 
I wyll that Fryer Thomas Waterpepe synge for 
my sowle, and my wyfe's and frendys sowlys, by 
the space of three years, at the auter where my 
sepulture is : and that, after the gospelle, he seye 
opynly at every masse, De profundis, for my 
sowle, &c. ; and he to have six marks per annum 
for his labour."* 

1503, John Osteler of Norwich, fishmonger, otherwise 
called John Patherton, and gave to every friar, 
being a priest, four-pence ; and to every novice, 
being no priest, two-pence ; to the repair of the 
church, twenty-six shillings and eight-pence ; and 
eight marks to them, to pray for his soul, &c.f 

1503, Elizabeth Aslake, " wydow, late the wyffe of Thomas 
Aslake, esquier, in the chappel of our lady, in the 
south parte of the chirch of the White Freres, in 
Norwiche."+ 

1511, Thomas Walters, citizen and alderman of Norwich, 

by Margaret, " sumtyme his wiff," and gave to the 
repair of the same place forty shillings. § 

1512, " Jamys Hamond of Eakheith, before the ymage of 

oure lady." 



Reg. Wolman, 1494. f Reg. Archid. 2V. } Reg. Popye, f. 261. 
§ Reg. Johnson, f. 212. 



170 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1523, "John Hevyngham, clerk, parson of Kesewyk, with- 
in the White Freris, in Norwich, at the Jemowe 
dore, by my mother. To which place I bequethe 
all my goodes that are there, and also the money 
arising of the sale of two tenements."* 

1529, Margaret Beamond. " Item. — I wyll that the howse 
of Whyte Fryers aforesaid shall have the use of 
the profightes of my messuage, garden, and appur- 
tenances, in the paryshe of St. Austen yerely, 
durynge ninety-nine yeres ; on condition that they 
celebrate for my soule, &c. every yere four tymes, 
namely, at Mighelmas, Cristmas, Eastre, and 
Whitesontyde, in their sayde howse, a dyryge 
and a messe. And that at iche of them they have 
a peny candell brenynge byfore the blessed sacra- 
ment of the aultare there ; and also, that the prior 
shall distribute amonge the said Whyte Fryers a 
pitance to the value of two shillings. The resi- 
due of the saide profightes, &c. to remain to the 
use of the aforesayde howse, they repayring the 
said messuage, &c. ; and at the end of the term to 
be sold by the then feoffees, and the money given 
to the sayde fryers, to pray for my sowle, &c. 
And if the said friers, during the said ninety-nine 
yeres, shall fail in observing the premises, the 
church of St. Austin to receyve the profightes 
upon the same condicions."f 

* * * Christian Boxforth, widow, of the parish of St. Mar- 
garet, of Fibriggate, in the north side, before the 
image of our blessed lady. " Item. — To the 
White Friers for my burial twenty shillings. "Z 

* Reg. Alablaster, f. 217. f Reg. Palgrave, f. 110. 

| The date is omitted. 



IN NORWICH. 



171 



For the rest, we are much beholden to Mr. Weever, 
who has given a large account of them, where we find — 
Sir Oliver Ingham, knight, obiit 1£92 ; Dame Lo .... Argen- 
tein, (I find her called Lora, wife of Sir Reignald Argen- 
teyne, who lived tempore Edward the first, sister of Robert 
de Vere, Earl of Oxon.*) ; Dame Eleanor Boteler ; Dame 
Alice Boyland ; Sir Bartholomew Somerton, knight, and 
Dame Katherine his wife ; Sir William Crongthorp and 
Dame Alice his wife ; Sir Oliver Gros, knight ; John, 
father of Sir Ralph Benhall ; Dame Jone, wife of Sir Thomas 
Morley ; Robert Banyard, esquire ; Sir Oliver Wigth, (Wyth) 
and Sir Peter Tye, knights : Margaret Pulham ; Dame 
Elizabeth Hetersete ; Dame Katherine, wife of Sir Nicholas 
Borne ; Jone, wife of John Fastolphe ; Thomas Crunthorp 
and Alice his wife ; Dame Alice Wythe, 1361 ; Sir Walter 
Cotet ; Sir Thomas Gerbrigge, 1430, and Dame Elizabeth 
his third wife, first married to Sir John Berry, and daugh- 
ter of Sir Robert Wachesham, obiit 1402 ; Elizabeth, first 
wife of William Calthorpe, daughter of Sir Reignald, Lord 
Hastings, Waysford, and Ruthin, who died 1437 ; Hau- 

kin, fil de Com. Lane. ; Clement Paston, obiit 14.... ; 

Richard 1479, George 1479, Cecily , John 1480, and 

Thomas 1480, fiye children of Sir William Calthorpe : John 
Dengayne, gentleman, obiit 1488 ; Robert Smart, esq., obiit 
1488 ; Dame Margery, wife of Sir John Paston, daughter of 
Sir Thomas Brews, 1495 ; John, son of Sir William Stoarer, 
1495 ; Margaret, wife of Sir Thomas Pigott, 1498. 

Also that, in a manuscript of this Religious Order, 
written by J ohn Bale, these Carmelites following are regis- 
tered to have been buried in this monastery. — I will use 
his Latin — 

* P. L.N.N. 



172 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



HI SUNT VIRI ILLUSTRES QUI SEPELIUNTUR IN CONVENTU 
CARMELITARUM NORYICI. 

Frater Gilbertus de Norvico, Episcopus Hamensis 
(alias Hamerensis) obiit a.d. 1287, 9 die Octobris. — This 
Gilbert was a learned man, and the Msecaenas to one Peter 
Swanyngton (a contemporary with Humphrey Necton), who 
took upon him the profession of a Carmelite, in the monas- 
tery of Brunham — a well-learned man, and who, first of all 
the Carmelites, obtained by the suffrages of the masters 
(supremum nomeri) the principal name for school divinity in 
the University of Oxford ; and flourished a. d. 1270.* 

Frater Johannes Leycester, Archiepiscopus Smirna- 
nensis, obiit a.d. 1424, 6 Novembris. 

Frater Umfridus Necton, obiit 1303.— This Necton 
was doctor of divinity in Cambridge and professor. Erat 
vir solide doctus, disputator subtilis, concionator vehemens. 
" He was a man solidly learned, a subtle disputant, a very 
earnest preacher," saith Pitsseus, of whom Leland hath left 
this distichon : — 

" Laudibus Humfridum meritis super astra feramus, 
" Cui data Grantenae laurea prima scholae." 

He writ divers books, mentioned by Bale, as also by Pitsaeus. 
Frater Andreas Felmingham. 

Frater Robertus Walsingham, obiit 1310. — This Wal- 
singham, saith Pitsaeus, was "Vir acuti ingenii, solidi judicii, 
bonae vitae, magnse doctrinse." — A man of acute wit, a sound 
judgment, a good life, and great learning ; and Bale, speaking 
of him saith, " he was a man of great repute in the University 
of Oxford for his quodlibets (ordinary questions,) and his 
interpretations of the Sacred Scriptures, which he made 
manifest to the world/' 

* Bale, Cent. Script. iv., 31. 



IN NORWICH. 



173 



Frater Galfridus Stalham. 

Frater Galfridus Mylsam (Mileham) obiit a. d. 1346, 
5° Januarii. 

Frater Adam Saxlingham. 

Frater Johannes Folsham, prior provincialis Anglise, 
obiit 1348, April 18. — This Folsham proceeded doctor of 
divinity in Cambridge : Pitsseus gives him his praise in a 
grave style. Bale (ironically) saith, " that indeed he was a 
doctor, and none of the meanest, for, by his chopping of 
logic, he could turn black into white, men into asses, and 
school divinity into natural philosophy : he writ many 
learned works." — Of him, I find elsewhere noted, " Jo- 
hannes Folsham, Nordovolgius, quintodecimus prior pro- 
vincialis, 1340, et rexit annos sex, Sepultus Nordovici."* 

Frater Ricardus Euges (Enges) obiit 4 Julii, 1361. 

Frater Willelmus de Sancta Fide, obiit 25 Aprilis, 1372. 

Frater Thomas Ziburgh (Riburgh), obiit 24 Julii, 1382. 

Frater Robertus Pulham. 

Frater Walterus Disse, legatus apostolicus, obiit 
22 Augusti, 1404. 

Frater Adam Hawling, (Harling) obiit 25 Februarii, 
1408. 

Frater Thomas Kerning (Kenninghall) obiit 26 Au- 
gusti, 1421. 

Frater Robertus Rose, obiit 16 Decembris, 1420. — 
This Carmelite was doctor of divinity in Oxford, of whom 
that University had such an opinion for his learning, that 
they honoured him with the title of " Supreme Master." 
He writ much, yet never offended the Wickliffites : he lived 
long, and enriched his monastery of many (much), as well 
in estate as with divers kinds of sciences. 



* Reyner, Apostolatus Benedictinorum, ex Baleo. 



174 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Frater Johannes Thorpe, doctor ingeniosus, obiit 12 
Augusti, 1440. — This Thorpe writ many books, as well 
divine as human ; but for one he was remarkable, which 
he entitled " The Labyrinth of Logick" wherein he shewed 
so exquisitely the subtle elenchs of that art, that thereby 
he gained the surname of " Ingeniosus Doctor," which, with 
his epitaph, was engraven upon his tomb. 

Frater Henricus Wychingham, obiit 14 Martii, 1447. 

Frater Johannes Kynynghale, prior provincialis 
Anglias, obiit 28 Aprilis, 1450. — The library (an edifice 
convenient for that use) in the convent of Norwich, was 
founded by Kyngnyhale.* — (And, as in Beyner's fore-cited 
book, he was the twenty-fourth prior provincialis, et 
rexit ab A. D. 1430, per 18 annos, et hie sepult.) 

Frater Johannes Taverham, obiit 19 Septembris, 1451. 

Frater Petrus de Sancta Fide, 8 Novembris, 1452. 

Frater Nicolaus Grey, obiit 7 Aprilis, 1458. 

Frater Adam Berton. 

Frater Galfridus Bee, obiit 13 Octobris, 1492. 

Frater Thomas Martirxet, obiit 18 Junii, 1508. 

Frater Bobertus Love, prior provincialis AngliaD, 1517, 
(the twenty-ninth prior provincialis) ab a. d. 1505, per 
septem annos, et hie sepult. f 

Frater Willelmus Wroxham, obiit in Conventu Calisese, 
23 Augusti, 1383. 

Frater Willelmus Raymond, obiit 1 Augusti, 1386. 

Frater Henricus Myleham. 

Frater Bicardus Water, obiit 5 Martii, 1485. 

Frater Willelmus Worsted, obiit 11 Septembris, 1494. 

Frater Thomas Penyman. 

Frater Johannes Whytyng, obiit 24 Junii, 1524. 

* Coll. D. Tanner, ex M. S. Bale, in Bibl. Bodl. 
f Reyner, ibid. 



IN NORWICH. 175 

Frater Simon Pykerynge, obiit 24 Februarii, 1525. 
Frater Robertus Browne, 1525. 

Domina Emma, Carmelita reclusa et soror in religione, 
obiit 2 Decembris, 1422. 

Frater Hugo de Uvedale, miles ante ingressum ordinis, 
obiit 10 Aprilis, 1390. 

Frater Willelmus Crongethorpe, miles ante ingressum 
ordinis, obiit 12 Aprilis, 1332. 

Frater Philippus Cowgate, magnus mercator, primus 
fundator conventus, ante ingressum ordinis, obiit 23 Aprilis, 
1283. 

In the year 1348, from the first of January to the first 
of July, there died in this city of Norwich fifty-seven 
thousand one hundred and four persons, besides religious 
votaries. Whereupon, the prior and convent of this house 
devised a prayer for the deliverance of certain Carmelites 
out of purgatory, which died in that contagious sickness, 
as followeth: — " Deus immense bonitatis ac sempiternse 
clementise, pietatis affectu pro aliis rogare cogimur, qui 
pro nostris peccatis nequaquam sufficimus ; confisi tamen 
de tua gratuita benignitate humiliter deprecamur, ut per 
meritum passionis unigeniti atque dilecti filii tui, Jesu 
Christi, et per merita piissimse matris ejus, ac omnium 
sanctorum atque sanctarum, animas fratrum nostrorum, 
et omnium fidelium defunctorum, a penis liberare digneris, 
qui liberasti tres pueros de camino ignis ardentis, et de 
manu Regis iniqui, per eundem Christum dominum nos- 
trum. Amen."* 

Joan, the widow of Sir Robert de Castone, knight, 
by her will, proved before the bailiffs of Norwich, a. d. 
1319, bequeathed ten marks to the Friars Carmelites, out 



* Weever's Fun. Mon. ex M. S. Bulei, de Carmelitis. 



176 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



of the money arising of the sale of her messuage in St. 
James' parish, that they might perform two annuals for her 
soul, &c. A like bequest she made to the Austin Friars* — 
The Carmelites afterwards obtained the said messuage for 
enlargement of their place, as appears before. 



CHAPELS. 

The chapel of the Holy Cross, in the convent of these 
friars, is mentioned, a. d. 1440 ; and the chapel of Our 
Lady, in the south part of their church, a. d. 1503. 

The chapel of St. Thomas, within the house of the 
Friars Carmelites, is also mentioned, a. d. 1526.f 



IMAGES. 

The image of Blessed Mary, in the chapel of Holy 
Cross, a. d. 1440. The image of St. Laurence, in the south 
side of the church, a.d. 1510 ; also, the image of St. Anne, 
in the chapel of Holy Cross.J 



LIGHTS. 

Light of Our Lady, a. d. 1492. Our Lady's light, at 
the high-altar end, a.d. 1521. 



GUILDS. 

The guild of Saint Barbara, holden here a.d. 1502, 
1516, and 1522. The guild of Saint Gation, a.d. 1529. 

Margaret Badely, {alias Curteys) of Norwich, widow, 
a.d. 1502, gave to the said guild of St. Barbara six shil- 
lings and eight-pence. § 



* Rot. Cart— 13 Edward n. f Coll D. Tanner, ex Reg. Ordin. 

\ Coll. D. Tanner, ex Reg. Doke. § Reg. Popye, f. 247. 



IN NORWICH. 



177 



OF THE ANCHORITES HERE. 

Iii this monastery, as in those of the other friars, was 
also an anchorite dwelling, as another bait to catch the 
money of superstitions people. 

A. D. 1442. — Mention is made of " the anker of the 
Carmels." 

A. D. 1443. — Friar Thomas, the recluse of the order 
of Friars Carmelites, is mentioned.* 

A. D. 1445. — Thomas Bumsted senior bequeathed 
to the anchorite, dwelling in the convent of the Friars 
Carmelites of Norwich, six shillings and eight-pence. f 

A. D. 1466. — Margaret Furbisshour, widow. — " Item. 
To the ancker of the White Freris, ten shillings. "} 

A. D. 1494. — Johan Blackdam, widow. " Item.— To 
the anker of the Whyt Fryeris wythinne Norwich, into 
th' anker's house, ther next entreines, twelve-pence. "§ 

A. D. 1510. — "The ankyr at Wyght Freres" is 
mentioned. 



DIMENSIONS OF THEIR CHURCH. 

The length of the cloister, on the part of the 

choir of the church of the Friars Carmelites of Norwich, 
containeth in the south part, thirty-five yards or sixty 
paces. The length of the same, according to my paces, 
contains sixty paces, measured several times. — The length 
of the inter-space of the steeple, between the door of the 
choir, and the door called the porch, contains twenty-three 
paces. — The length of the nave of the church on the south 
part, contains forty-six paces. The length of the same on 

* Reg. Doke, f. 5. f Reg. Wilbey. \ Reg. Jekkys, f. 39. 
§ Reg. Multon, I 6. 

N 



178 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the north part, contains The breadth of the 

nave of the church contains thirty-six paces.* 

The church seems to have stood not far from the 
bridge ; because, in the sixteenth year of Henry the eighth, 
I find the bridge called " Po?is juxta Ecclesiam Fratrum 
Carmelitarum." f 

Also, a. D. 1389, the south-east corner house of Fisher- 
gate is said to be against the gates of the Carmelite Friars.J 



SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR LIBRARY. 

In that (nobili et pucherrima) noble and very fair 
library of the Carmelites of Norwich, saith Bale, there 
were the following books, amongst many others, namely, — 

Joannis Run, alias Reade, Dominicani (qui floruit 
circa, a.d. 1290.) 

De Pontificibus Romanis, lib. 1. 

De Imperatoribus quoque, lib. l.§ 

Nicolai de Lynn, Carmelitse (qui floruit circa, a.d. 1370,) 
Canones Tabularum, lib. l,Volentibus prognosticare futuros. 

De nostra Zodiaci, lib. 1, ad honorem Dei et habendam. 

De Planetarum domibus, lib. 1, Invenit quidam ex 
sapientibus. 

De Sphcera judiciali, lib. 1. 

Astrologorum dogmata, lib. 1. 

De Figuris et Signis, lib. 1, primum signum est Aries. 
De Mundi revolutione, lib. 1. 
De usu Astrolabij, lib. 1. 
Pro segrotantibus, lib. 1. 
De Eclipsi solis, lib. 1. 

• Willis' Account of Priors, Sfc, Addend., p. 329: ex Collect. 
Will. Worcester, p. 149. 
f Lib. Congr. C, f. 37. \A. E. N. § Bale, Cent. iv. Num. 70. 



IN NORWICH. 179 

De astrorum judicijs, lib. 1. 
De varijs Genituris, lib. 1. 
Pro suis Carmelitis, lib. 1.* 

Joannis Tompson, Carmelite Blakneyensis (circa 1380,) 
Lecturam sententiarum, lib. 1. 

Moralitates Scripturae, lib. 1, Pulsatis fratrum instantijs, 
cogor. 

In Ecclesiasticum, lib. 1, Prout recitat beatus Augustin. 

Lectionum Locos communes, lib. 1, Abyssus quid sit 
et evi compar. 

Postillationes in Joannem, lib. 1, de Verbo specialiter 
est notandum. 

Directorium earumdem, lib. 1, Abjicere temporalia 
quid sit. 

Moralium Suorum Indices, lib. 1, abominatur Deus 
sex, scilicet. 

Sermones de tempore, lib. 1, Exurgetregere gentes Roma. 
Sermones de Sanctis, lib. 1, Ego mater pulchrse di- 
lectionis. 

Quadragesimale quoque, lib. 1, Parce Domine populo 
tuo, etc. 

Conciones ad Clerum, lib. 1, Benedicite Sacerdotes 
Domini. Ex Eidevallo in Fulgentium, lib. 1, Abrahse par 
erat Conjugium. 

Ex Trivetho de Transformatis, lib. 1, Abbas a monacho 
veneno. 

De mirabilibus mundi, lib. 1, Lana terrse Abraham, 
quae non. 

Abbreviationes doctorum, lib. plures.f 
Alani de Lynn, Carmelite. 

De vario Scripturse sensu, lib. 1, quia secundum apos- 
tulum, 2 Tim. 

* Bale, Cent. vi. 25. f Id. Cent. VI. 66. 

N 2 



180 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Moralia Bibliorum, lib. 1, Perfidia abominabilem facit 
hominem. 

Sermones notabiles^lib. l,Venit ira Dei in nlios diffident. 
Elucidarium Scripturse, lib. 1. 
Praelectiones Theological lib. 1. 
Elucidationes Aristotelis, lib. 1. 

He also compiled Indexes or Tables to fifty or more 
books of divinity, history, Sec, of which almost all were in 
this library.* 

Nennii Bannochorensis Historiee.f 

Corrogationes Promethei. 

Questiones naturales Abelardi per dialogos, ipso et 
nepote Interlocutoribus. 



Damascenus de vera Fide. 
Suetonius de Csesaribus. 
Alredi Pievallensis Historiola. 
Ricardus Medicus de Signis. 
Aluredus de Motu Cordis. 
Geometria Wiberti Pseudo-apostolica. 
Rhetorica Aristotelis. 
Aristoteles de Coloribus. 
Terentius, vetus Codex. 

Albrisius de Origine Deorum : furto sublatus. 
Apuleius de Deo Socratis4 




PRIORS OF THIS MONASTERY 



Thomas de Salthous. — 8 Edward in. 
William —23 Edward m.§ 



* Bale, Cent. vn. 54. 

| Leland, Coll., vol. III., p. 



26, 



f Id. Cent. i. 74. 
§ Rot. Cart. 



IN NORAVICH. 



181 



Walter de Dysse, a. d. 1376. 
Robert Rose, d. d., obiit a. d. 1420. 
Cyrillus Garoland.* 

Thomas Watyrpett, d. d., a. d. 1486 and 1491. 

Thomas , d. d., a. d. 1538. 

These friars had a commodious malt-house, wherein 
not only their own malt was made, but sometimes malt for 
other people ; as in the account of St. Giles' Hospital, in 
the twenty- third year of Henry the eighth, — " Paid to the 
Friars Carmelites, in Norwich, for making five quarters 
of barley into malt, two shillings and six-pence ; and 
paid for the carriage of the five quarters of malt from the 
house of the said friars, in Norwich, to the said hospital, 
fourpence.f 

A. D. 1538. — A little before the monasteries of friars 
were suppressed, a fellow, pretending to have a commission 
for that purpose, came to the prior with an intent to have 
cheated him of some money. Whereof I find noted, in 
the book of the courts of mayoralty of the city : — " At the 
court held on Saturday, the twelfth of October, in the 
thirtieth year of Henry the eighth, that one John Pratte, 
servant with PaufF Salter of Harpley, coming to Norwich, 
on Wednesday last, did, on the Fryclay, go to the White 
Freres, and found the prior and his bretheren at dyner; 
and after the accustomed words of humanitie betwene the 
said pryor and the said John had, the prior demaunded 
fiom whence he came, whereunto the same John sayd, 
' I am my Lord Privye Seallis' servaunt, and late come 
from his lordship.' And then the prior asked him the 
cause of his comyng, and he made answer, — i I have a 
commission from my Lord Privye Seal, to suppress this 

* Mentioned by Leland de Script. Brit., c. 5?4. 
f Comp. Hosp. S. Egid. — 23 Henry vzn. 



182 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



house.' The prior desired the sight of his commission, and 
the said John sayd, — ( That Master Godsalff had it ; ' and 
further sayd, — ' that they should be dispatched of their 
house on Monday next, at the furthest.' — But it seems 
the prior, upon further examination, found him to be a 
cheat, and so caused him to be brought before the court, 
where he confessed that he did it, purposing to have put 
the prior of the same place in such fear, that he, by reason 
thereof, should give him a reward of forty shillings, or 
four pounds. But on Saturday, the nineteenth of October, 
according to sentence passed on him, he went about the 
market with a paper, containing — ' For false feynyng to 
be the kynge's comyssioner.' And, after, both his ears 
were nailed to the pillory,*" &c. 

A. D. 1542. — After the dissolution of monasteries, 
king Henry the eighth granted, among other things, the 
site of the monastery of white friars, in Norwich, to 
Richard Andrewes and Leonard Chamberlain, in fee, 
paying four shillings yearly, by his letters patent, of the 
seventeenth of June, in the thirtieth year of his reign.f Or, 
as in another account, to Richard Andrewes, to be held of 
the king in capite by knight's service ; and that the same 
year, the said king granted licence to the said Richard 
Andrewes for alienating the premises to John Spenser and 
his heirs 4 

Whence, the fourth year of Elizabeth, we find that 
John Spenser held all the capital messuage and site of the 
Carmelites, in Norwich, of the said queen, in capite, by 
knight's service, and that Leonard Spenser was then his 
son and heir.§ 



* Lib. Cur — 30 Henry vni. f Pat. — 34 Henry viii., pars, 4. 

\ Pat — 34 Henry vni., pars, 4. § Eschaet. 4 Elizabeth. 



IN NORWICH. 



183 



But the year before, namely, the third of Elizabeth, 
Francis Southwell, esq., Thomas Spencer, and John Spen- 
cer, had the said queen's licence for alienating the premises 
to William Gilderne and his heirs. Dated the fifteenth of 
September, the third year of Elizabeth, namely, a.d. 1561. 

And I find that the city had an intention of purchasing 
from him ; for, at an assembly the eleventh year of Elizabeth, 
it was ordered, " That the four surveyors, appointed to talke 
with William Gilderne for the purchase of the Whighte 
Fryers, to the use of the cittie, should make their report."* 

However, that was not done ; but, in the twenty-second 
year of Elizabeth, the queen granted a licence of alienation 
to W. Gilderne, for conveying the same to William Drury 
of Melton, and his heirs,f in which family it continued 
many years ; for, by an inquisition after the death of Sir 
William Drury of Besthorp, who died on the eighth of 
November, 1639, it was found that he died seized of the 
white friars' dissolved monastery, in this city. X 

But by a deed of a certain messuage, &c, parcel of 
the priory of the white friars, made A. D. 1653, it appears 
from the recitals, that " John Drury of Great Melton, 
gent., granted the said late priory, and all the church, 
steeple, and churchyard of the same house, and all other 
messuages, houses, yards, ponds, &c, in the circuit and 
precinct of it, together with all walls, &c, to Robert 
Drury of Rougham, in Norfolk, esq., who, on the twenty- 
sixth of October, in the twenty-fourth year of Elizabeth, 
demised the whole to Hamond Claxton of Norwich, esq., 
from Michaelmas foregoing, for one thousand years : " 
and that the same, by mean conveyance, came to the 
possession of Anthony Mingay of Norwich, gent., who, 

* Lib. Cong. 11 Elizabeth. f Pat 22 Elizabeth, pars, 1. 

f Coll P. L. N. N. 



184 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



in the tenth year of Charles the first, granted it to 
William Brereton the elder, for residue of the said term of 
one thousand years. — Perhaps some rent reserved out of it*. 

Of late years, it was in the possession of Mr. John 
Chambers, some time one of the representatives in 
parliament for this city, and a captain of the militia, who 
built many new houses here next the street and round 
a square backward, in room of the old cloister which he 
pulled down : now it is in the possession of his son, 
Mr. * * * Chambers. Several of the old buildings of the 
monastery still remain: particularly one in the midst, 
wherein the people of one sect of the Anabaptists have their 
place of meetings, and a burying-ground adjoining. 

It seems, the parishioners of the parish of St. Martin 
of the Palace claimed some part of the site of this monas- 
tery, as part of their parish. For, at a court of mayoralty 
on the eighth of August, 1835, the differences between the 
parishioners of St. James' and St. Martin's at palace, 
touching the friars, was referred to the aldermen of the 
ward of Fibrigg and to Mr. Throkmorton, if in town.f 
— I find no more mention of the matter. 

I have lastly to note that, in the thirty-sixth year of 
king Henry the eighth, John Eyre, one of the king's au- 
ditors (amongst other things) had a grant of a messuage in 
the parish of St. Clement in le Brice, before belonging to 
the priory of Horsham St. Faith's ; and six messuages in 
the parish of St. Augustine, belonging to the Friars Car- 
melites, in Norwich.* Which messuages in St. Augustine's 
I suppose were so many tenements made out of the mes- 
suage bequeathed to these friars, a. d. 1529, by Margaret 
Beamond, as before-mentioned. 

* Aut. nup. Cath. Brereton. f See page 158. 

\ P. L.N.N. Pat 36 Henry vin., pars 26. 



IN NORWICH. 



185 



OF THE FRIARS OF ST. MARY. 

There was moreover a house of friars in Norwich, who 
were called (Fratres beatce Marice) or Friars of Blessed 
Mary, which was situated in the south side of St. Julian's 
churchyard in Conesford. And therefore, in the third year 
of Edward the first, they are mentioned by the name of 
{Fratres beatce Marice de Conesford) the Friars of St. Mary 
in Conesford.* 

The situation of their house appears evidently, from a 
deed enrolled in the guildhall of the city, in the nineteenth 
year of Edward the first, of a messuage in the parish of 
St. Clement in Conesford, lying between the messuage of 
William de Torp and the messuage sometime of Sir William 
de Rosnay towards the south, and the common lane which 
extendeth itself from Skeychegate, near the (domicilium 
fratrum de domino) the mansion of the friars of (our) lady 
unto the king's way of Conesford towards the north ; the 
east head whereof abuts upon the said king's way, and the 
west head upon the king's way of Gosehil.f 

A. D. 1290. — Roger de Tybenham, chaplain, be- 
queathed to the friars of Blessed Mary, two shillings, 
besides other legacies to the Carmelites, Preachers, Aus- 
tins, and Minorite Friars. % 

They seem to have been suppressed, A. d. 1807, with 
the other petty orders of friars ; for I find no farther 
mention of them. 

* Inquisitiones fact. 3 Edward i., per preceptum Domini Regis in 
Com. Norff., &c. de Juribus, &c., Regis subtract, et de excessibus vie. &c. 
—P. L.N.N. 

f Hot. Cartarum, 8fc, 19 E. fil. H. 
\ Autograph, in Guildhall. 



186 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



OF THE FRIARS DE PICA. 
In a list of untaxed churches, &c, in Norwich, added 
to the taxation of Bishop Walter de Suffeld, in an old 
transcript thereof, mention is made of the Friars de Pica, 
as follow, namely: — " S. Clementis, in Conesford. — 
S. Michaelis Fratres de Pica. — Placea ubi fuit aliquando 
Ecclesia S. Johannis Evangeliste : namely, in Taverna 
W. Sessuni." So that it seems there was some petty house 
of friars of that denomination, in Conesford-street, near 
the Austin Friars. But I find no more of them.* 



PIES.— FRIARS PIES. 

Some religious and monks are so called, who, like Pies, 
are clothed in white and black garments, (una et simul) 
at one and the same time.f 

Thomas WalsinghamJ mentions a certain old church- 
yard, which some time belonged to the friars, which in 
old time were called " Freres Pies."§ 

In a manuscript cited by Mr. Hearne, in his Glossary 
to Robert of Gloucester, under the word she?ifuttyche, 
there is an account that Walter Stapleton, bishop of Exeter, 
who was beheaded a. d. 1327, was building a tower at 
London, without Temple-Bar, on the Thames side ; and, 
lacking stone, — "He made his men to go to the churche 
of the Frerys, the which at that tyme were ycleped the 
Frerys of the Pye, and ther this bysshopys men pykhid 
stonys out of hurre lond, to perfourme his tower." 

* Quere. — If not the same with the Fratres beate Marie. 

f Glossar. Dufresne. 
$ He lived a. d. 1440. § Glossar. Dufresne. 



IN NORWICH. 



187 



OF BENEFACTORS TO THE SEVERAL ORDERS OF FRIARS, 
BESIDES THOSE ALREADY MENTIONED. 

A. D. 

1247, John Bond of Norwich, bequeathed " to the Friars 
Minors of Norwich, four shillings. Item. — To 
the Friars Preachers, two shillings."* (No men- 
tion of the Austin or White Friars.) 

1272, William de Dunwich, citizen of Norwich, bequeathed 
to the Friars Minors of Norwich, one mark: to 
the Friars Preachers of the same, one mark: to 
the Friars of Carmel of the same, one mark : and to 
the Friars de Sacco of the same, twenty shillings. f 

1290, Roger de Tybenham, chaplain, bequeathed to the 
Friars Preachers, and Friars Minors, and Friars 
Carmelites, in Norwich, to each religion, four shil- 
lings. " Item. — To the Friars of St. Austin, and 
Friars of Blessed Mary, and Friars de (Sacco), to 
each religion, two shillings." J 

1885, Thomas de Bumpstede, c. n., bequeathed to the four 
orders of friars, in Norwich, twenty marks : 
namely, to each order, five marks. § 

1418, William Appelyerd, c. n., to each order of the friars- 
mendicant, in Norwich, twenty shillings.^ 

1428, William Setman, c. n. " Item. — To each house of 

the four orders of Mendicant Friars, in Norwich, 
three pounds six shillings and eight-pence. [| 

1429, Sir Richard Carbonell, knight. "Item. — To the Austin 

Friars, in Norwich, twenty shillings. Item. — To the 
Jacobine Friars, twenty shillings. Item. — To the 



* Autograph in Guildhall. 
\ Autograph in Guildhall. 
^ Ex Probat., in Guildhall. 



f Testm. Autograph in Guildhall. 
§ Reg. Harsike, f. 56. 
|| Reg. Surflet, f. 124. 



188 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

Carmelite Friars, twenty shillings. Item. — To the 
Friars Minors, twenty shillings."* 

1463, John Causton, alias Julians, c. n., grocer. " Item. — 
To the orders of the Dominicans, Minors, and 
Austins, to each order, forty shillings ; namely, 
twenty shillings for repair of their houses, &c, 
and twenty shillings to be distributed among the 
friars : and to the order of the Carmelites, thirteen 
shillings and four-pence. f 

1467, John Drolle, alderman. " Item. — I bequethe to the 
four orders of freris, twenty markes." + 

1473, Katherine Dylham, widow. " Item. — To every order 
of the mendicant friars, in Norwich, ten shillings: 
to be divided to each of the friars juxta rata?n, 
arvali porcione." § 

1475, John Butte, alderman. " Item. — To each house of 
the Mendicant Friars, forty shillings." ^[ 

1482, Thomas Storme, notary. " Item. — To iche hous of 
freres, in Norwich, twenty shillings." || 

1497, John Bysshoppe of Norwich. Item. — " To each 
house of the Mendicant Friars, twenty shillings."** 

1509, Robert Barnard, squyer, buried at the Black Friars. 

" And to eueryche of the other three orders of 
freris, twenty shillings ; and also to the house of 
the Gray Freris, a gown of tawny damaske to 
make a cheseble thereof." ff 
But before I leave the friars, I think it proper to give 

a further account of them, to show a little clearer what 

sort of men they were : — 



* Reg. Surftet, f. 67. f Reg. Betyns, f. 161. \ Reg. Betyns, f. 135. 
§ Reg. Gelour, f. 55. Reg. Gelour, f. 107. || Reg. Castone, f. 148. 

** Reg. Multon, f. 81. ff Reg. Johnson, I in. 



IN NOEWICH. 



189 



A. D. 1235. — Some of the friars minors, and some of 
the order of preachers, unmindful of their profession and 
order, did very impudently introduce themselves in a 
clandestine manner into the territories of some noble mo- 
nasteries, under a pretext of performing their office, and, 
as it were, to depart again after their sermon the next day. 
But they, pretending either infirmity or something else, 
there remained ; and, having built an altar of wood, and 
placed upon it a small consecrated altar-stone, which they 
brought with them, they celebrated masses with a low 
voice, received the confessions of many persons, even of 
parishioners, to the prejudice of the priests. For they 
said they had received such power from the lord pope ; 
namely, that the (fideles) people, who were ashamed to 
confess to their own priest, or disdained to do it because 
he was under the same sin, or feared to do it because they 
should confess to a drunkard — to such the minors would 
enjoin penances,* and absolve them. In the mean time, 
having sent a speedy and diligent proctor to the Roman 
court, against the religious in whose territory they dwelt, 
they obtained the mansion, granted them with some addi- 
tional benefit (adjuneto beneficio.) And if, by chance, they 
did not seem yet to be satisfied, they broke out into 
contumelious and threatening speeches, rejecting any other 
order beside their own, and asserting the rest to be of 
the number of those who should be damned, (nee parcere 
callo plantarum snarum) and gave their feet no rest till 
they had exhausted the treasures (though great) of their 
adversaries. Wherefore, the religious gave place to them 
in many things, to avoid scandal, and for fear of the great 
men ; for they were the councillors and messengers of 
noblemen, also secretaries of the lord pope, procuring to 

* Or they would enjoin less penances, &c. 



190 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



themselves thereby too much favour of the people. Some 
of them, nevertheless, found opposers in the court of 
Rome, and, being restrained by plain reasons, departed 
confounded ; the pope saying to them, with an angry 
countenance, — " What thing is this friars ? Whither do you 
break forth ? Have you not professed voluntary poverty ? 
that, bare-footed and inglorious, travelling through towns 
and boroughs, and remote places, as occasion requires, 
you would humbly sow the word of God, and now ye 
presume to usurp mansions to yourselves, against the wills 
of the lords of the fees ! Your religion seems now in 
great part to expire, and your doctrine to be refuted!" 
Hearing this, they departed, and began to behave them- 
selves more modestly, who before had talked plentifully 
boasting of high things, &c. 

But, a. d. 1243, a great controversy was agitated be- 
tween the friars minors and the friars preachers, which 
moved many people to admiration, because they had seemed 
to have chosen the way of perfection, namely, of poverty 
and patience. But now they quarrelled about the greatest 
worthiness, most decent habit, the strictest and most hum- 
ble and holiest life ; for the preachers challenged a pre- 
eminence in all these ; but the minors contradicted, and 
said it belonged to them : so that a great scandal arose 
from this discord. And because they were learned men, 
it was the more dangerous to the church ; and what was 
looked on as a sorrowful presage, was that, in three or four 
hundred years or upwards, the monastical order had not 
made such a swift progress as the order of these friars, who, 
having scarce twenty-four years ago made their first houses 
in England, now their edifices are already risen to the 
grandeur of royal palaces. These are they, who, in sump- 
tuous and daily amplified edifices and lofty walls, expose 



IN NORWICH. 



191 



to view inestimable treasures, impudently transgressing the 
limits of poverty and the fundamentals of their profession ; 
who diligently apply themselves to lords and rich persons, 
to the injury and loss of the ordinaries, that they may gape 
after wealth ; extorting confessions and clandestine wills, 
commending themselves and their order only, and extolling 
them above all others. So that no (fidelis) christian now 
believes he can be saved, unless he is governed by the coun- 
cils of the preachers and minors. In obtaining of privileges, 
they are solicitors ; in the courts of kings and potentates, 
they are councillors, gentlemen of the chamber, trea- 
surers, bridesmen, {nuptiarumprceloquutores) match-makers, 
matrimony -brokers ; executioners they are of the papal ex- 
tortions ; in their sermons, either flatterers or stinging back- 
biters, or discoverers of confessions, or impudent rebukers. 
Contemning also the authentic orders constituted by the 
holy fathers, namely, Bennet and Austin, and their pro- 
fessions, they prefer their own order ; the Cistercian monks 
they account to be simple fellows and semi-clerks, or rather 
rustics ; but the black monks to be proud and epicures. 

Moreover, about a. d. 1246, the friars preachers 
having obtained privileges from Pope Gregory the ninth 
and Pope Innocent the fourth, being rejoiced and magni- 
fied, they talked malapertly to several prelates of churches, 
bishops, and archdeacons, presiding in their synods, and 
where many persons of note, namely, deans, priests, and 
vicars, also rectors of churches with clerks, were assembled, 
showed openly the privileges indulged to them, proudly 
requiring that the same might be recited, and that they 
might be received with veneration in their churches. And, 
as legates, or even angels of God, they might be admitted 
to preach to the people, either in the synods or in parish 
churches, without any contradiction. And intruding them- 



192 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



selves very impudently, they asked every person oftentimes, 
even the religious — " Are you confessed ?" And if they 
were answered, " Yes/' " By whom ?" " By my priest." 
" And what idiot is he ? He never heard divinity, never 
studied the decrees, never learned to resolve one question ; 
they are blind and leaders of the blind ; come to us, who 
know to distinguish one leprosy from another ; to whom 
the difficult matters, to whom the secrets of God are mani- 
fest ; confess to us without fear, to whom you see and hear 
now so great power is granted." Many therefore, especially 
(nobiles) of the gentlemen and their wives, despising their 
own priests and prelates, confessed to those preachers ; 
whereby the dignity of the ordinaries was not a little de- 
based, &c. 

All this we have from Matthew Paris, a monk of 
St. Albans, who lived in the time of king Henry the third, 
and wrote a history of his reign. 

In like manner the following epistle represents them, 
wherein the clergy complained of the friars preachers and 
minors, and prayed that their pride might be restrained. 
" With a lamentable complaint, we are obliged to (explicare 
normam enormeni) lay open the disorderly order, introduced 
to our contempt and the general scandal of the clergy ; 
by which, whilst the faith is believed to be increased, 
error arises, &c. For the friars preachers and minors 
have, in preaching, manifoldly depraved our life and conver- 
sation, &c. ; and we are almost reduced to nothing. And 
we, who formerly, by reason of our office ruled over 
kings, &c, and corrected the people, now are become a 
reproach and derision, &c. The aforesaid friars have sup- 
planted the clergy in all their dignities ; and usurping to 
themselves penances and baptisms, and the anointing of the 
sick and churchyards, have restrained to themselves all the 



IN NORWICH. 



193 



power and authority of the clerical ministry. Now they 
have created two new fraternities, to which they have so 
generally received people of both sexes, that scarce one of 
either remains whose name is not written in one of them, 
who therefore all assembling in their churches, we cannot 
have our own parishioners, especially on solemn days, to 
be present at divine service, &c. ; whence it is come to pass, 
that we, being deprived of the due tithes and oblations, 
cannot live, unless we should turn to some manual labour, &c. 
What else remaineth therefore ? except that we should de- 
molish our churches, in which nothing else remaineth for 
service or ornament but a bell and an old image covered 
with (fuligine) soot." 

" Alas ! many places, which formerly for the devotion 
(fidelium) of the people were famous for many miracles, 
now lie full of the household stuff of private persons ; and 
the sacred altars, hitherto adorned with many ornaments, 
are now covered with scarce one plain linen cloth or ragged 
silk, &c. But these preachers and minors, who began from 
cells and cottages, have erected royal houses and palaces, 
supported on high pillars, and distinguished into various 
offices, the expences whereof ought to have been bestowed 
on the poor : these, whilst they have nothing, possess all 
things, &c. ; but we, who are said to have something, are 
beggars. We therefore, lying at your majesty's feet, be- 
seech that you will please to provide some remedy for the 
greatness of this devouring disease," &c* 

He that desireth to see more about these friars, may 
read the Sompner's Tale in Chaucer's Works, showing the 
cozenage, loitering, impudent begging, and hypocritical 

* Archbishop Usher, in his book, De Christianarum Ecclesiarum 
Successione el Statu, p. 157, ex Petr. de Vineis, lib. I., epist. 27, collect, 
cum MSS. 

O 



194 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



praying of the mendicant friars. These mendicant friars 
were also used to steal children under fourteen years of 
age, or receive them into their houses in a clandestine 
manner, without the assent of their fathers, mothers, or 
other relations or guardians, and then refused to deliver 
them back to their friends again, when demanded, or 
embezzled or conveyed them away to other of their 
cloisters, where their friends could not find them. For pre- 
vention of which evil, a statute was made in the fourth year 
of Henry the fourth, by which the friars were subjected 
to be punished for such offences, according to the discretion 
of the Chancellor of England. And the provincials of the 
four orders were sworn before the parliament, for them- 
selves and successors, to be obedient to the said statute.* 



ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL. 

Now let us see what Hospitals are or were in Norwich, 
when founded, by whom, and how endowed, with other 
matters memorable concerning them. As for hospitals in 
general, we find them of ancient date in the world. — 
Spelman, in his Glossary, under the word " Ptochium," an 
hospital or house of beggars, quotes a letter which was writ- 
ten by Bassianus, a bishop, to the emperors Valentinian and 
Martian, about a. d. 450, namely, — " But I have lived from 
my youth with the poor, and {Ptochium feci) have erected 
an hospital, and placed in it seventy beds, and received 
Qiospitio) in the house all sick and ulcerated persons." 
Thus he. — And because, (as far as I can find) the hospital 
of St. Paul was the first hospital in Norwich, I shall begin 
with an account of that, whereof we have an ample rela- 
tion in the records of the cathedral church of Norwich, 

* Statut. 4 Henry iv., cap. 17. 



IN NORWICH. 



195 



particularly in the almoner's register, which saith, — " In 
the time of Eborard, bishop of Norwich, the hospital of 
of St. Paul in Norwich was founded by the prior and 
convent of the church of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, in 
the ground of the same prior and convent, which had been 
given them by Thurstan, son of Gwydo,* as appears by the 
following charter : — 

" Be it known to all the faithful of Christ, present 
and to come, that the convent of the church of the Holy 
Trinity of Norwich hath given to their hospital that land 
in which the hospital is built, and their tithes of Mar sham, 
and of Blicklyngges, and the land of Sprouston, and the 
land of the ditches which is between the wood (of Thorp) 
and the river. And it grants this quit and freed from all 
(terreno servicio, alias censu) secular service, (or rent) 
for the sustentation of poor people, for the soul of bishop 
Herbert, and for the soul of bishop Eborard, and for the 
health of all faithful people, living and dead. And, that 
this may be kept for ever, it hath confirmed the same by 
the seal of the Holy Trinity, and sign of the Holy Cross. "f 



ANOTHER CHARTER OF THE CONVENT. 
" Be it known, &c, that all those who have received 
land in the croft of the hospital of St. Paul, to dwell there, 
by the grant of the chapter of the prior and monks of the 
church of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, may hold it, they 
and their heirs, by perpetual right, as long as they shall 
live (legaliter) legally, and pay the (censimi) rent of the 
ground to the (procuratori) bailiff or master of the hospital. 
These are their names, and this is the rent per annum : 
John, twelve-pence ; Osbert, eighteen-pence ; Walter the 

* See page 196. f Reg. \,Eccles. Cath. N., f. 25 and f. 239. 

O 2 



196 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



priest, eight-pence ; Ranulf the cook, sixpence ; Tliorald 
the bishop's chaplain, six-pence ; Aylward, four-pence ; 
Ryngolph, ten-pence ; Goceline the master, thirteen-pence ; 
William the baker, eight-pence ; Adulph, ten-pence ; 
Goceline the carpenter, eight-pence ; Anna, alias Unna, 
sixpence, and St. Paul is his heir ; Wlueric, six -pence ; 
Goffrid, eight-pence ; Hugh, ten-pence ; W alter, ten -pence ; 
Lewyn, ten-pence ; Wickeman, ten-pence. And that this 
constitution may remain sure and firm for ever, it is con- 
firmed by all the monks of the Holy Trinity, by making 
the sign of the Holy Cross, and putting to it the seal of the 
Holy Trinity."* 

OTHER CHARTERS. 

" Be it known to all the faithful people of the Holy 
Church, as well present as to come, that I, Bartholomew, 
the son of Thurstan,f son of Gwydo, do grant and confirm 
all the donations which my father and my mother gave to 
the church of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, namely, the 
land and houses near the bridge of Fibrigg, and the land 
where the house of the hospital is situated, with all their 
appurtenances, and all other things in lands and meadows ; 
and this quietly and freely for ever, without any claim, 
reclaim, exaction, and recognition of secular service. On 
this condition, that the monks of the Holy Trinity of Nor- 
wich may hold the same in their proper demesne, and not 
commit them to be possessed by any other person. This I 
have done by the grant of Maud my wife, and of Stephen 
my heir ; and, that I might grant the same, I have received 
of the goods of the church a hundred shillings. These 

* Reg. 1, Eccles. Cuth. N., f. 25 and f. 239. 
f Turstinus, filius Gwydonis, is mentioned in Doomsday Book, to have 
held land in Creak and Antingham. 



4 



IN NORWICH. 



197 



things were done in the presence of the Lord William, the 
bishop : and witnesses thereof, are Daniel, abbot of St. Ben- 
net ; William and Roger and Walkeline, archdeacons ; 
William de Hastynge ; Ernald the chaplain ; Adam de 
Calina ; Turold the chaplain ; Nicholas and Richard the 
bishop's clerks ; Henry de Rya ; Walter Haltein ; Peter 
the bishop's constable ; Roger the son of Seyce ; William 
the priest of Fundenhale ; Ranulph of Berchestrete ; Blake- 
man de Hemesby."* 

" Richard the archdeacon (namely, of the whole county 
of Suffolk) to his most dear, Robert the sheriff and the 
king's officers of Flegg, greeting and devout prayers. I 
have given of the alms which the grace of God and of our 
king gave me, the churches with their lands and the tithes 
of Ormesby, to the hospital of the poor of Norwich, for the 
health of the king and of his faithful people. Wherefore 
I request you, that you will cause Sir Norman the monk, 
master of the same house, to have this alms fully, as well 
of the increase of sheep as of the increase of the earth, that 
God may give you retribution for them."f 

" Henry, king of England, to Eborard, by the graee of 
God bishop of Norwich, and to the sheriff, greeting. I 
grant my alms of Ormesby, at the request of Richard the 
archdeacon, to the hospital of Norwich, namely, the tithes 
of my hall, and of all lands to the demesne of the hall per- 
taining, and my churches, and the profits of the same, with- 
in the town and without the town of the same manor, and 
the tithe of sheep ; and take ye care that no man do injury 
to the master of the hospital concerning any of these things. 
Witness, Geffrey the chancellor, at Westminster. "} 

" To his venerable lord, Eborard, by the grace of God 
bishop of Norwich, and to all the convent of the church of 



* Reg. 1, Eccles. Cath. N.> f. 25. 



f Id. f. 239. \ Id. f. 54. 



198 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



the Holy Trinity of Norwich, A. de Bellafago, greeting 
and due obedience. Be it known (dilectioni vestrce) to 
your benevolence, that I grant to the church of Norwich, 
for building the hospital of the same church and for the 
maintenance of the poor, my churches and tithes of 
Hormesby (or Ormesby), with the lands and all things 
•which belong to them, as well and fully as Richard de 
Bellafago, bishop (Abrivce) of Avranches, (in Normandy) 
had and granted (them) to it, and king Henry confirmed 
by his charters. And I command my clerks and the vicar 
of the same churches, that they pay to the master of the 
aforesaid hospital whatsoever they ought to pay, because 
I will not that his or our alms should in any manner be 
diminished or detained."* 

"Eborard, by the grace of God bishop of Norwich, 
to his archdeacons, William, Roger, Walkeline, and Wil- 
liam, and to Roger the dean, and to his parishioners of 
Norfolk and of Suffolk, greeting. Know ye that, by my 
command and assistance, the monks of the Holy Trinity of 
Norwich, in the free possession of the Holy Trinity, have 
built an hospital within Norwich, for the maintenance of 
the poor of God, for the health of my soul, and for the 
health of all the benefactors to that place, and a church, 
of St. Paul, near the hospital, and whosoever (requisierint) 
shall visit the same church in (festivitate) the festival time 
of St. Paul in summer, (per octo dies) for eight days with 
oblations of alms, or a pious disposition of heart, I remit 
to them by the divine bounty, and by our authority, forty 
days of the penance enjoined them every year. But let 
no man offer any injury or reproach to the aforesaid 
hospital, or to the people inhabiting in the possession of it, 
or to their goods, upon pain, as violaters of the peace of 

* Reg. 1, Eccles. Cath. N., f. 26 and f. 239. 



IN NORWICH. 



199 



God and ours ; but let them be free and quit for ever 
from all customs and plaints in God's peace and ours, as 
becomes the alms of God. And let all people dwelling in 
the said hospital, or in the possession of the hospital, hear 
the service of God in the aforesaid church of St. Paul, 
and securely praise the Lord, and pray for us and for all 
christians, living and dead. But the (secretarius) sacrist 
of the Holy Trinity shall give every year, for the use of 
the said church, chrism and holy oil. And, that this 
constitution may remain always stable and firm, I confirm 
and corroborate it by the impression of the Holy Cross, 
and affixing of my seal. Farewell."* 

" To all Sons of Holy Mother Church, John, by the 
grace of God bishop of Norwich, greeting in the Lord. 
Know ye all, that we, with a view of divine piety, have 
given and granted, and by the present charter confirmed 
and assigned, to God and to the Holy Trinity of Norwich, 
the church of St. Margaret of Ormesby, with all things to 
it appertaining, to the use of the hospital of St. Paul in 
Norwich, for the maintenance of the poor in the same 
hospital languishing; saving to us and our successors for 
ever the pontifical and parochial right. But we have 
indulged that, when this church shall in any manner 
happen to be vacant, it may be lawful for the master of 
the hospital to enter the void possession of the said 
church, by this authority indulged them by us, these being 
witnesses : — Master William de Len ; Master Robert de 
Gloucestre ; Master Robert de Tywa ; Alane de Gray ; 
Alane de St. Edmund. Dated at Norwich, by the hands 
of Master Geffrey de Derham, eleventh kal. April, in the 
fifth year of our pontificate."! 

Reg. 1, Eccles. Cath. N., f. 26 and 239; et Ex. Exemplif. Autogr. per Rog. 

Epm. Dot. apd. T/wrnheg. 6 Non. Julii, a. d 1276 A. E. N. 

fReg. i., f. 35, 237-240. 



200 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be it known 
to all the faithful of Christ, present and to come, that I, 
Morellus de Morlay, and Emma my wife, have entered 
into the fraternity of the monks of the Holy Trinity of 
Norwich ; and the monks have granted to us, and to the 
souls of our parents, the benefits of the monks of the place, 
present, past, and to come. For which so great reward, 
we have given to the hospital of the Holy Trinity, for the 
maintenance of the poor for ever, two parts of our tithes 
of Filby, of corn and of all other things which ought 
to be tithed. We have also restored fully and freely to 
the monks of the Holy Trinity, the land which was in 
dispute (calumnia) in the same town, and these are wit- 
nesses : — William de Morlay, brother of Morellus ; Osbern, 
an esquire of Morellus ; Almerus and Godwine de Filby ; 
William the Baron ; Robert, the son of Godiva ; Ralph, 
the son of William, a knight of Morellus."* 

" Be it known to all the faithful of Christ, present and 
to come, that Ingulf the prior, with the good consent of 
the whole convent of Norwich, hath given to their hospital 
the half part of the tithe of Taverham for ever, for the 
maintenance of the poor there dwelling. And this for the 
honour of God, and for the health of the monks living and 
dead. Dated the tenth day of November, a. d. 1119."f 

Note. — If this date be right, the hospital was founded 
or begun before Bishop Eborard's time. And it seems 
to be right; because, in another register, where copied, 
it concludes, — " Given by Ingulf, in the time of Herbert 
our founder, namely, in a. d. 1119."+ 

* Reg. 1, Eccles. Cath. N., f. 240. 
f Id. f. 138, ad pedem pagince, et recentiori manu, c. hac nota, viz., Require 
tertium locu antiq 1 Registri Magri d' Normans, in prima folio. 
J MS. olim Prioratus Norwic, et a. v. 1714, in Manibus Edi: 
Thymelthorp,Gen P. L. N. N. 



IN NORWICH. 



201 



" Walter, by the grace of God bishop of Norwich, &c. 
A contention having arisen between the prior and convent 
of Norwich, on the one part, and the rector and vicar of 
Marsham, on the other part, concerning two parts of 
the tithes arising of our demesne there, &c, we have 
thought fit thus to ordain by consent of the parties : — The 
vicar shall hold them as farmer, paying yearly as hereto- 
fore five shillings to the prior and convent, who deceasing, 
it shall be in their election how they will dispose of the 
said tithes. Dat. ann. tertio pontif." 

" To all the faithful of Christ, Walter, bishop of 
Norwich, &c. We have granted and confirmed to the 
prior and convent of Norwich, and to the hospital of 
St. Paul, the third part of the tithes of our assurts of 
Thorp, which was given them by William de Raleye, our 
predecessor, of the present assurts, and of the assurts 
which shall be made in the same town for future. Witness 
Master William de Eiham ; Laurence de Somertone ; 
William de Wytewell, &c. — Dat. 6 kal. Martii, pontif. 
ann. tertio." 

Note. — Bishop Roger confirmed the same.* 

Juliana, the relict of Robert de Horkeneye de le 
Spitillond, granted to the brethren and sisters of St. Paul 
of Norwich, in free and perpetual alms for the maintenance 
of the poor, a piece of arable land lying at Guletre-hill, 
near Norwich, between the land of William le Waleys 
south, and the highway north ; and one head abutting on the 
(land) of the said hospital east, and the other head on the 
highway west ; paying yearly to the prior of Norwich one 
penny for all secular service. Witness William Grund, 
William le Waleys, &c.f 

They had also the following general confirmations 
of all their possessions : — " Henry, by the grace of God 
*Reg.l, Eccles. Cath. N., f. 241. f Id. f. 252. 



202 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



bishop of Winchester and legate of trie apostolic see, to 
all the faithful and sons of Holy Mother Church, greeting, 
&c. By the authority of the apostolic see, we ratify and 
confirm that the hospital for the maintenance of the poor 
at Norwich, built in the possession of St. Paul, may remain 
under the apostolic tuition, saving the right of the church 
of Norwich, to whose demesne it is known to belong. 
Whatsoever things therefore are lawfully conferred on the 
said place, or for future shall happen to be, in churches, 
lands, tithes, or any other things whatsoever, we decree 
shall be entire, quit, and free from all exaction, to serve 
for the maintenance of the poor only. We have ordained 
that it may be lawful for no man rashly to disturb the 
same place, to diminish the goods thereof, &c, which, if 
any person shall knowingly presume to do, and being 
admonished a second or third time, if he shall not amend 
it by competent satisfaction (renuisse de perpetrata iniqui- 
tate cognoscat), let him know that he hath refused, and 
for the iniquity committed, that he be excluded from the 
body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and from all 
communion of Holy church, and in the last judgment 
be subjected to severe vengeance. But on all who shall 
be benefactors to the same place, be the peace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, so that here they may receive the fruit of 
their well-doing, and afterwards may find the rewards of 
eternal retribution." 

Note. — This Henry was king Stephen's brother, and 
bishop from A. D. 1129 to a. d. 1171. 

" Tedbald, by the grace of God archbishop of Canter- 
bury and primate of all England, to Eborard, bishop of 
Norwich, and to all the sons of Holy church, greeting, 
and moreover his benediction. Be it known, as well to 
the present as future faithful people of Christ, that I, 



IN NORWICH. 



203 



Tedbald the archbishop, have dedicated the church of 
St. Paul, which belongs to the hospital of the poor at 
Norwich. Wherefore I confirm and command, that all 
things which pertain to the said church be free, under the 
peace of God and of the lord pope, and ours : especially 
in the churches of Ormesby, which Kichard the archdeacon 
gave to it by consent of king Henry, and afterwards of 
king Stephen ; and also in other things, in lands, in tithes, 
and in rents, and in all possessions which it hath or shall 
have of the gift of Christ and of his faithful. But who- 
soever shall benefit the same hospital, may he have the 
blessing of God, and of the lord pope, and ours. And, on 
the contrary, whosoever shall take away the things of the 
same house, or diminish them, let him be subject to 
anathema, except he shall come to amends and satisfaction. 
Be it so ! Be it so ! Amen.-]-" 

" And, in the anniversary of the dedication of the same 
{Basilica) church of St. Paul, I make a pardon, by releasing 
eight days of penance every year."* 

Note. — The said Tedbald, or Theobald, was archbishop 
from a d. 1138 to a. d. 1160; and his charter was recited 
by Ralph, bishop of Norwich, in a charter, dated 6 idus 
Martii, pontif. anno quarto. 

The following charter gives a large account of the 
possessions of the said hospital : — " To all the faithful of 
Christ to whom the present writing shall come, John, by 
the grace of God bishop of Norwich, greeting in the Lord. 
The things which have been granted and bestowed (in pias 
causas) for pious uses by the faithful of God, that they 
may remain firm and unshaken for those uses to which 
they were assigned, it is requisite they should be fortified 
by the protection of the episcopal authority. Wherefore, 

* Reg. 1, Eccles. Cath. N., f. 240. 



204 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



we will that it come to the knowledge of all, that we, for 
the sake of God (et pietatis intuitu) with a pious intention, 
have canonically confirmed to God, and to the hospital of 
St. Paul of (al. in) Norwich, all the churches and tithes 
underwritten, with all things to them belonging, to their 
own proper uses, to serve for the maintenance of the poor 
in the same hospital languishing, for ever ; namely, the 
church of St. Paul in Norwich ; in the town of Ormesby, 
the churches of St. Michael, and St. Peter, and St. Andrew, 
and St. Margaret ; and all the tithes of the hall of Ormesby, 
and of all lands belonging to the demesne of the same 
hall, and of the sheep of the same hall, of the gift of the 
illustrious kings, Henry the first and Henry the second. 
Moreover, the third part of the tithe of the demesnes of 
our manors of Blofield,* of Thorp, of Thornedis, of Langham, 
with their appurtenances. And two parts of the tithe of 
our demesne of Marsham, and the third part of the tithe 
of the demesne of Blicklyng, and the half of all the tithes 
of the demesne of the prior of Norwich in Thaverham, and 
of the demesne of the monks of Norwich in Neutone, and 
two parts of the tithe of the demesne of Robert d' Ulmo, 
de Filby. Saving in all things the reverence and honour 
and due customs of the holy church of Norwich, and a 
competent maintenance for the vicars who minister in 
those churches. And, that this confirmation may remain 
firm and unviolated, we corroborate it by this present 
writing and the attestation of our seal. Witnesses Thomas 
(and) Geffrey the Archdeacons, Thomas the Briton, Master 
Walter de Calna, Robert de Chippeham, M. Gervase. 
Dated at Norwich, a. d. 1198, eight idus Augusti."f 

* In the charter of Bishop Thomas, and confirmation of it by Bishop 
Walter, of " Beketon, or Begeton," is here inserted, 
f Bale, f. 31. 



IN NORWICH. 



205 



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206 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Tax. Walter de Suffield, Epo. N. Phileby, Hospitali 
Normanni de Norwico, de Dominico, fifteen shillings. 

Aliter Tax. Lincoln Porcio Hospitali Norm, fifteen 
shillings. (As if tithes.) 

Magister de Normannis percipiet de Reditu Domini 
Fratris William Elmham in infer. Conesforth, four shillings.* 

The ground of the whole old parish of St. Paul was 
held of it ; and many houses in other parts of the city paid 
rents, &c. 

Note. — This charter was confirmed by bishop Roger ; 
and a like charter is recorded of bishop Thomas; which 
charter has for witnesses, Mr. Alan, archdeacon of Sudbury; 
Mr. Robert de Bilney ; John Tunni ; Henry the chaplain ; 
Richard de Guitone, clerk ; Henry de Tunstal, clerk ; and 
Adam de Birlingham. Dated at Thorp, 4 kalend. March, 
a. d. 1226 ;f and confirmed by bishop Walter.^ 

Also, John of Ely, bishop of Norwich, in a charter of 
Inspeximus, recited and confirmed all the principal charters 
of this hospital, twenty in number, which is dated 16 kal. 
April, a. d. 1301, pontif. anno tertio. § 

We also find || that Pope Alexander the third, by his 
bull of 15 kal. October, a. d. 1176, confirmed to the bishop 
of Norwich, &c. the hospital of the poor in Norwich, with 
the church of St. Paul, in the croft of the same hospital. 

And a bull of Pope Gregory the tenth, of 14 kal. 
June, a. d. 1273, wherein is confirmed to the prior of Nor- 
wich, &c. the hospital of St. Paul de Norman. 

And in the Cottonian library,^ a bull of Pope Gregory, 
confirming to the master and brethren of the hospital of 
St. Paul of Norwich, of the order of St. Bennet, belonging 

* Reg. 1, E. Cath. f P. L.N.N. \ Reg. I, E. Catk. f. 240 et 241. 
§ Recorded in said Reg. from f. 239 to f. 242. 
|| By the same Register. J Julius, F. 7, f. 13-22. 



IN NORWICH. 



207 



to the church of Norwich, the liberties and immunities 
which had been granted them by former popes ; and the 
exemptions from secular exactions which had been granted 
them by kings, princes, &c, with the clauses " Nulli ergo," 
&c, and " Si quis autem," &c. Dat. apud (Urbem) veterem 
2 Non. Febr. pontif. anno * * *. 

Several royal charters were also granted to the said 
hospital, namely, by king Henry the first, — 

I. — " Henry, king of England, to his justices, R. Bas- 
set and Abraham de Ver, and his burgesses of Norwich 
and ministers of Norfolc and Suthfolc, greeting. Know 
ye that I have given and granted to the hospital of the 
poor of St. Paul of Norwich, for the health of my soul, and 
for the health of my parents, (liberationem) the allowance 
which Odlent was used to have, namely, three-pence per 
diem ; and the sheriff of Norfolc shall give it out of his 
farm. Witnesses, William de Waren ; Hugh Bigot ; 
Roger de Fisc ; R. de Ver ; and Abraham de Ver, at 
Westminster." Hence it was that, in the sheriff's old 
accounts, at the Exchequer, we find four pounds eleven 
shillings and three-pence allowed yearly to them in manner 
following : as for instance — " The thirtieth year of Henry 
the second, Wimarus the chaplain renders an account of 
the farm of Nordfolch and Sudfolch, in the treasury, four 
hundred and forty nine pounds thirteen shillings and 
eleven-pence blank ; and in alms appointed to the knights 
of the temple, forty shillings ; and to the brethren of the 
hospital of Norwich, four pounds eleven shillings and 
three-pence, &c. ;"* which is what the three-pence per 
diem amounts to for a year. 

Note. — This payment continued to be made to the 
said hospital by the sheriff of Norfolk till the Reformation. 

* Madox Exch. p. 215, ex Mag. Rot. 30 Henry n. Rot.l, 4 Norffet Suff. 



208 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



— I have seen the receipt for the said four pounds eleven 
shillings and three-pence, which John TTickys from 
Mr. * * * gave Miles Stapulton, sheriff of Norfolk, dated 
the first of October, the nineteenth year of Henry the sixth, 
a. d. 1440, penes T. Martin, attorney. 

II. " Henry, king of England, to Eborard, bishop of 
Norwich, and to his justices of Norfolk and burgesses of 
Norwich, greeting. Know ye, that I have given and 
granted, for the health of my soul, to the hospital of the 
poor of St. Paul of Norwich, the tithe of my hall of Ormes- 
by and of all the lands pertaining to the demesne of the 
same hall, and the tithe of my sheep ; and my churches of 
the same town, and (beneficia) the profits of them. Also, 
let the aforesaid hospital, and all the inhabitants in the 
croft thereof, be free and quit from all scots, gelds, and 
landgable, and all other customs. I command also, that all 
things which belong to that hospital may have my firm 
peace, with soc, and sac, and tol, and them, and infan- 
genethef. Witnesses, the bishop of Norwich, and Richard 
Basset and Abraham de Yer at London." 

III. King Stephen, by his charter beginning as 
follows, confirmed to the same hospital the three-pence 
per diem and tithe of Ormesby, &c, as before-mentioned. 
" Stephen, by the grace of God, king of England, to the 
bishop of Norwich, and to his justices, sheriffs, barons, 
ministers, and all his faithful people, French and English, 
of Norfolk, and to the burgesses of Norwich, greeting. 
Know ye, that I have granted for the soul of Henry my 
uncle, for the health of myself and of Maud the queen my 
wife, and of Eustace my son," &c. 

King John granted the following charter : — 

IV. " John, by the grace of God, king of England, 
lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and 



IN NORWICH. 



209 



earl of Anjou, to his beloved and faithful, the justices, 
sheriffs, stewards, and to all his bailiffs to whom the present 
writing shall come, greeting. Know ye, that I have 
granted and confirmed to God, and to the hospital of 
St. Paul of Norwich, and to the men residing in the land 
thereof, the rents, possessions, churches, and liberties, 
which they have by the charters of king Henry our father 
and of king Henry the grandfather of our father. And 
therefore I command you that you do not permit the bai- 
liffs of Norwich, or the men of Norwich, or any others 
whomsoever, to disturb the tenants of the said hospital in 
the market of Norwich, nor in any other place whatsoever ; 
nor to exact any thing from them contrary to the liberties 
of their aforesaid charters, upon (penalty of) our forfeiture. 
Witness myself apud Lamusam (alias La Susam) the fourth 
day of September, &c."* 

Note. — The second and fourth of the said charters 
were confirmed by the charters of Inspeximus of king 
Henry the third ; witnesses, I. of Bath ; R. of Durham ; 
W. of Exeter ; W. of Carlisle ; and H. of Rochester ; 
bishops : H. de Burgo, earl of Kent, justice of England ; 
Stephen de Segrave ; Ralph, the son of Nicholas ; Godfrey de 
Craucumb ; John, the son of Philip ; Geffrey le Dispencer ; 
Richard, the son of Hugh ; and others. Given by the hand 
of the reverend father, R. bishop of Chichester, his chan- 
cellor, at Westminster, the seventh of May, in the sixteenth 
year of his reign. 

And the same charters of Inspeximus, and the first 
charter, were confirmed by the charter of Inspeximus of 
king Edward the first. Witnesses, the reverend fathers, 
W. of Coventry and Lichfield, and I. of Carlisle, bishops ; 
Henry de Lacy, earl of Lincoln, &c. Given by his own 

* Bale, 54, 55, and 59. 

P 



210 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



hand at Laurecost, the fifth of October, in the thirty-fourth 
year of his reign.* 

In process of time, the rise of this hospital was changed 
from a place of nursing and taking care of sick people ; 
and the monk who was master of it received the profits 
of the court and other revenues, and repaired the houses 
where the said women dwelt ; some styled sisters, and 
others half-sisters, who, it seems, took care of an apartment 
in it, called an alms-house, to entertain a few poor travellers 
for a night when they came ; for which purpose there were 
a few beds : one of these women was called the " Guardiana " 
or Governess. And these women seem to have subsisted 
on alms given, as well as from the revenues of the hospital, 
of which they had yearly pensions. Their places were 
purchased for ten marks each or more, as appears by 
the Visitation Book, a. d. 1492. They had sisters there as 
well as brethren ; and, lastly, sisters and half-sisters, and no 
brethren. Take a few notes of benefactors (though petty 
ones) for illustration of this matter. 

A. D. 

1372, William de Pulham, mercer, citizen of Norwich, 

bequeathed to the poor sisters in the hospital of 
St. Paul, five shillings. 

1373, William Plomer — " To the sisters of Norman spitel 

and to the repair of St. Paul's church, ten shillrngs."f 
1381, Isabell de Brook — " To the whole sisters of the hos- 
pital of St. Paul of Norman spitel, two shillings, 
and to the half-sisters of the same hospital, twelve- 
pence." 

1418, William Appelyard, c.n. — " To the sisters of St. Paul's 
- hospital, twenty shillings. "J 



* Lib. Cartar. et Placilor, in Guildhall, et Beg. 3, E. Calh. N. f. 94, 95. 
f Beg. Hay don. \ Ex Probat. in Guildhall. 



* 



IN NORWICH. 211 

A. D. 

1430, I find the cells of the sisters of Normans were re- 
paired in carpenter's work.* 

1435, Thomas Basset, a hermit of St. Stephen's parish. — 
" To the women in the Normannys, in St. Paul's 
hospital, called half-systerys, twelve-pence. "f 

1437, " To every sister in Normannys spetell, 

four-pence ; and to every one in the same hospital, 
four -pence. "J 

1482, John Howard, carpenter. — " To the almes-howse of 
the Normans, three coverlites."§ 

1492, Joane Harneys, widow. — " To iche syster of the 

Normans, one penny. Item. — To the repair of 
the pore mennys beddys ther, four-pence."^" 

1493, John Casten, alderman.. — " To the guardyan at Nor- 

mans hospitalle, eight-pence ; and to iche her suster 
ther, four-pence." || 

1494, Sir William Calthorp. — " To the sisters of Normans, 

thirteen shillings and four-pence."** 

1501, Joane Williamson, widow. — " To the sisters of 

Normans hospital, three shillings and four-pence. 
Item. — To ther armesse-house, a bedde, that is, a 
mattras, a coverlyght, and a peyer of shettys."f f 

1502, Dame Joane Blakeney, widow. — " To the fourteen 

suster s of Normans, five shillings and ten-pence ; 
namely, to iche hoolle-suster four-pence, and iche 
half-suster, six-pence."^ 
1505, Thomas Bicheman, citizen of Norwich, gave iC a paire 
of shetes, to serve and to be occupied at Normans 
among the poore people in the poore-house ther."§§ 

* Recept. pro opere Walteri Carpentarii nostri, super domum Latrinar. 
et Cellas Soror. de Normans, fifteen shillings. — Comp. Maghtri Celar., 
8 Henry vi., (1430.) 

f Reg. Surflet, f. 169. \ Reg. Dvke, f. 37. § Reg. Caston, f. 151. 

% Reg. Wolman, f. 150. || Reg. WolmanJ. 185. ** P. L. N. N. 
ft Reg. Popye, f. 229. \\ Reg. Popye, f. 315. §§ Reg. Rix,f. 270. 



212 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

A. D. 

1507, Thomas Wymer of Aylsham* " Item —To both the 
houses of sisters of Normans, in Norwich, three 
shillings and four -pence." 
Hence it appears there was one house for the whole 

sisters, and another for the half sisters. 

1515, John Harmer, tailor. — " To the sustern at Normans, 

bothe hoolle-suster and halff-suster, two-pence." f 

1516, William Elseyv — " I geve to bye with lynen clothe 

for the Goddis-hous at Normans, for shetyng, six 
shillings and eight-pence." J 

1517, Dame Margery Hobert. — " To the systrys off Nor- 

mans yn Norwiche, forty shillings." § 
1534, Twelve sisters are mentioned to belong to the Nor- 
mans at this time. If 
1562, (4 Eliz.) John Cooke, c. n. (worstead weaver.) " To 
the sisters in the Normans, towards the relief of 
the poore that shall resorte thether, five shillings. "|| 



MASTERS OR WARDENS OF THE SAID HOSPITAL. 
(magistri sive custodes.) 

" The master of the hospital of St. Paul of Normannes, 
one of the monks of the cathedral church, shall be preferred 
and removed (as also the sub-prior, precentor, cellarer, 
sacrist, chamberlain, priors of the cells of Lenn, Jernemuth, 
Aide by, and Hoxne) by the prior and seniors of the said 
church for the time being, or the major part of them; 
namely, prior, sub-prior, cellarer, precentor, chamberlain, 
sacrist, and the four penitentiaries, the almoner, master of 
the infirmary, and master of the cellar, if so many and 
such of the said officers shall be in number : if not, the 

* His brass is in Aylsham church, where he made the screen, 
f Reg. Archid. N. \ Reg. Briggs, f. 19. § Id. 
J Reg. Archid. N. || Reg. Archid. N. 



IN NORWICH. 



213 



major part of them shall make a chapter in this behalf; 
and such preferment or removal shall (being first notified 
to him) be confirmed by the bishop. 

" Moreover, concerning the ordinary visitation of the 
said hospital, it is appointed and agreed that the bishop of 
Norwich, for the time being, may exercise his ordinary 
visitation, and make correction and reformation of the 
crimes and excesses of the brethren and sisters, and others 
there dwelling, detected in the visitation, and punish those 
detected. And that the master of the same hospital for 
the time being, shall be bound to execute and certify the 
bishop's mandate for making the visitation ; and also to 
submit to the visitation, correction and reformation, as 
far as touches the administration of the same hospital. 
Item. — The master of the said hospital for the time being, 
shall have for time to come the insinuations and appro- 
bations of the testaments of what persons soever deceasing 
within the jurisdiction of the said hospital throughout the 
whole parish of St. Paul, as well of chaplains, as of other 
clerks in holy orders, and laicks of either sex, departing 
this life within the said hospital of St. Paul of Normannes, 
or the jurisdiction of the same ; and all other ecclesiastical 
jurisdiction of all the inhabitants in the said hospital and 
parish for ever. Because that, from the foundation of the 
said hospital, the jurisdiction as aforesaid hath been exer- 
cised and used by the master of the said hospital for the 
time being, from time to time (the times of the ordinary 
visitation of the bishops of Norwich for the time being 
excepted.)* 

Norman, the monk, mentioned in a preceding charter 
of Henry the first's time, to be the procurator of the 

* Ex Compositione facta inter T. Brown Epm. Norwic, et Johem 
Priorem E. Cath. S. Trin. Norwic. ac Capitulum ejusd. Ex Autogr. Dat. 
apud Southelmham, 28 Aug., a. d. 1444, pen. P. L.N.N. 



214: RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 

hospital then, was, as I take it, the first master, and might 
continue so many years, whence this hospital might haye 
its name of Norman's Spitel. 

Galfi.id.us, magr. temp. Ric. i* 

Regin. de Pankesford, procurator, temp. Hen. in., 

ut videtnr.\ 

51 Henry in. — Robert de Stokesby was master. 
14 Edward i. — Frater Joh. de Plumystede, quondam 
magister. 

A. D. 1357. — Frater Nicholas de Jernemuta. 

A.D. 1370. (44Edw. in.)— Frater Radulphus de Filby . 

A.D. 1398.— Frater Thomas Lynne. 

For, in the decree of the archbishop of Canterbury, 
and other arbitrators of the differences between the bishop 
and the monks of Norwich, made on the eighteenth of 
March, 1398, one point of difference was concerning the 
absolution of Frater Thomas Lynne, master of the hospital 
of St. Paul of Norman, and about the visitation and cor- 
rection of the defects, &c, of the brethren and sisters of 
the said hospital. 

A. D. 

1411, (11 Hen. iv.) Frater John de Hasingham. 
1429, Frater Richard Walsham, monk, master.* 
1440, (19 Hen. vi.) Frater John Wichyngham, magister 

sive custos. 
1470, {circa) Frater Robert Bretenham. 
1491, (7 Hen. vn.) Frater Dionitius Hyndolvestone, and 

a. d. 1492. 

1504, (20 Hen. vn.) Dominus Castellyn. 

1514, Dns. Johs. Siblys, nuper magister. 

1532, Dns. Henry Mannell, magister Normannorum. 



* Plac. in Com. Norf. 14 Edward i., quo. war. f Cart. Auiogr., A. E. N. 
\ Lib. List, ix., 33. 



IN NORWICH. 



215 



AND AS FOR THE GOVERNESSES, 

I find that, a. d. 1452, Robert Blyklyng, of Norwich, 
esq., bequeathed to the Lady Cecily Mortymer, (gardiane) 
wardeness of the Normannys, forty-pence.* 

Another such is referred to before, among benefactors, 
a. d. 1443 : this, by the visitation-book of that year, was 
Dame Mary Green ; then there were, besides her, seven 
whole and seven half sisters. 

Dame Maud Puregold, guardian of the sisters of 
Normans, a. d. 1513. 

Margaret Dyne is so styled in the visitation, a. d. 1532, 
when there appeared but nine sisters besides her.f 

Mystres Agnes Lyon was the last governess. 

The senior sister seems to have been the guardiana.% 

I shall now add what is noted in the Lincoln Taxation 
(made in Edward the first's time) concerning this hospital, 
namely, — 

" The church of St. Paul, with the hospital, which 
is called Normannes petel, al. Normanys pytelle. Tax 
of the spirituals. Estimation of the same church, thirty- 
three shillings and four-pence, whence the tenth is three 
shillings and four-pence. It is an exempt place, wherein 
are brethren and sisters. It is not visited by the arch- 
deacon, nor does the church pay synodals ; and all the 
corrections of the parishioners of the said church of 
St. Paul, and of all and singular other persons offending 
within the said parish, do belong to the master of the 
said hospital." § 

And the following bequest of an honest old priest 
must not be omitted : — 

* Reg. Aleyn, f. 230. f Coll. D. Tanner, Cane. \. D. Tanner, Cane. 
§ Liler Doomsd. E. Cath. N., et Liber Arch'd. Norwic. 



216 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



" The trewe copie of tlie woordes conteynge the last 
wylle and testament of Sir Thomas Salter, a preste of 
London, coneernynge a bequest geven to the poore housse 
of the Normans, a. d. 1558. 

" Moreover, oute of the sayde two handreth markes, 
I wil that the said wardeyns and companie of the salters of 
London do delyver, or cause to be delywerde (yerely and) 
perpetually e , upon newe yere's even's even, to the church- 
warden of St. Pawle's churche within the cittie of Norwich, 
in the cowntie of Norfolk, fyftye and twoo shillynges of 
goode and lawefull monye of Englande. To be geven in 
awllmes everye Sondaye in the yere, as it here followeth 
and showeth : that is to saye, every Sondaye throughoute 
the yere, as soone as high masse is done in the sayde paiyshe 
churche of St. Pawle, I wylle that the churchwardens of 
the said church shal geve twenty-four halfe-penye whaten 
breade loves, that were newe baken on the Satherdaye 
nexte before, unto twenty-four poore systers of Vincente 
Norman, whiche he buylded a howse for systers* in the 
said parrishe many yeres agoe. And yf ther be not 
twenty-four systers in the same howse at this present daye, 
to receyve and have the said awllmes of bread, everie 
Sondaye in the yere, that is to wete, everie one of them a 
halfe-penye wheaten loffe new bake ; then so manie good 
systers as be or shal be hereafter, I wylle that they be 
fyrste served everie one the Sondays of the said half-penie 
breade ; and the resydue of the sayde halfe-penye breade 
that is leafte or ongeven, I wylle that that be given to the 
pore lave men and women in the sayde paryshe of St. Powle. 
But in no wyse to geve my sayde awllmes to suche laye 
people as be abhominable swearers, or adulterers, or de- 
tracters, or sclanderers of ther even chrysten ; for God 



* Here he was mistaken. 



IN NORWICH. 



217 



heareth not the praier of no suche wicked people, but he 
heareth the prayers of alle good and faythfull chrysten 
people, and suche as loveth hym, and feareth and dreadeth 
hym, and kepeth his commaundements. Owf Lord God 
geve us alle grace lykewise to do the same. 

" This forsayde perpetualle aullmes I have founded 
it and wylled to be geven (speciallie) to the sayde pore 
systers, bycause I have a great truste that they wylle praye 
for me ; and also, bycause that a verie good devowte syster 
of the said howse of Vincent Norman, was the fyrst crea- 
ture that tawght me to knowe the lettres in my booke — 
Dame Katherin Peckham was her name ;* I was skoller 
seventy-two yeres ago (with her) in the sayde parrysh of 
St. Powle. I beseche Jhesu to haue mercye on her sowle. 

" Nowe, forasmuch as the saide churchwardens do 
take the laboure and paynes to destrybute and geve the 
saide twelve-penyworth of breade everi Sondaye in the 
yere, I do geve to them the twoo vauntage halfe-penie 
wheate-breade loves, that they have brought them by the 
baker everi Satherday, with the said twelve-pennyworth 
of breade. Which sayde breade I wolde it shulde be 
brought into St. Powle's churche, either upon the Sather- 
day befor even-songe, or ellis upon the Sondaye before 
mattins, and to be putt in a great closse basket, that no 
myce nor rattes do come to it. And I desyre my sayde 
good masters (the salters) to geve or sende twelve-pence to 
the saide churchwardens, to prepare and to paie for suche 
a baskett for the said breade. And yf yt so be that the 
said churchwardens wylle not take the labowre and payne 
to dystrybute and geve the said twenty-four loves of 
wheaten breade to the said systers and pore laye people, 

* Katerine Bekham was the next senior sister to Margaret Dyver, 
guardian, 1532 Visit. 



218 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



then lett the parrysh clerke of the said St. Powle's churche 
geve the said breade everie Sondaye in the yere nnto them ; 
and for so doenge then I give to the saide clerk the twoo 
said vauntage half-peny wheaten loves, eyerie Sondaye 
through the yere for his laboure. And yf that my mas- 
ters, the wardens of the Salters' Companie, can here and 
perfectly knowe that the saide auilmes is not geven to the 
said systers and pore laye people everie Sondaye, either in 
breade or ellis in monie for scarcenes of breade, then I 
wylle that the sayde awllmes of breade be taken awaye 
from them, and to geve it to ther o^me awllmes men in 
London for ever, (to whom I have also geven twelve-pence 
everie weke perpetually.)" 

Memorandum. — " Whereas the said Thomas Salter (by 
his testament and last will, bearinge date the last day of 
August, a. D. 1558,) hath willed that the wardens and 
companie of salters of London, in consideration of two 
hundred marks to them geven by the said testament, shall 
delyver yerely and perpetuallye upon new yere's even's 
even to the churchewardens of St. Powlis paryshe in Xor- 
wich fifty-two shillings, to be geven in awllmes, &c. ; not- 
withstandinge, afterwarde, the eighth day of October, in 
the yere above-said, his wylle and mynde was that ther 
shulde be geven and delyverd but th' one halfe therof, that 
is to save, twenty-six shillings and no more. And th' other 
halffe to be to the said companie of salters, in consideration 
of suche paiements as he hathe appoynted them to pave, 
by reason of the said two hundred marks."* 

Afterwards, this hospital came into the hands of the 
city; for, a. d. 1565, the twenty-first of September, in the 
seventh year of queen Elizabeth, the dean and chapter of 
Norwich granted " to the mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and 
* Book of Orders for the Poor and Bridewell in Guildhall. 



IN NORWICH. 



219 



commonalty of the same city, for five hundred years, at the 
rent of one penny per annum, all those their chambers, 
lodgengs, howses, buyldyngs, gardyns, and yardes of the 
hospitall of St. Paulle, commonly called the Normans, 
situate and beeyng in the paryshe of St. Paull in Norwich, 
as they lately were in the hands and rule, government and 
custody of one Mystres Agnes Lyon, now departed, some- 
tyme a syster of the same hows or hospytalle, and hertofore 
used for the comforte, relief, and lodgengs of pore straun- 
gers, vagrantes, sick and impotent persons, together with 
alle that, the bedsteads, beddyng, clothyng, and stuff 
belonging to the sayd deane and chapter, with the saide 
hows or hospital, as they late were in the custody of the 
sayd Mrs. Agnes Lyon ; (except suche howses and grownds 
as were in the ferine of John Katryngham, and now in the 
ferme and occupacion of William Blenerhasset, gentleman, 
and parcel of the said hospytall ;) to have and to hold, &c. 
as above, and not to be chaunged from awllmes -howses and 
lodgings for, &c. ; with licence reserved for the deane and two 
prebendaries, once a year, to vysit the same and see whe- 
ther it be mayntaind for the relief of pore straungers, &c."* 
This place (now called the Systers of Normans) was 
the same yearf appointed to be a workhouse and house 
of correction for such poor people who were able to work 
and yet would not work for a living, which was confirmed 
by assembly, a. d. 1571. "But, reserving allweyes that 
howse within the Normans, and the six beddes thereunto 
belonging, which hathe bene of long tyme usyd for the 
lodging of poore Ynglysshe straungers and wayfaring men 
and women ; and reserving also the nether howse and 
chamber at the gate, wherein the wyddow now dwellyth, 
that receyveth the poore to lodging, washyth theyr clothes, 
* C.L.A., f. 102. f MS. Themilthorp. 



220 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



and preparyth their beddes ; to those chary table usys styll 
to be employed."* 

This hospital was thereupon called Bridewell; and 
the reason why this, and in general all snch other houses 
of work and correction in other cities and towns have that 
name, was (as I take it) from a house, sometime a palace, 
called Bridewell, in the parish of St. Bride or Bridget, 
in London, which king Edward the sixth gave to that 
city, to be a work-house for the poor and idle persons 
of that city.f 

LEGACIES AND GIFTS TO THE BRIDEWELL AT NORMANS. 

A. D. 

Mr. Henry Bacon, alderman, gave three pounds six 

shillings and eight-pence, which was paid a.d. 1568. 

And Mr. Nicholas Norgate, alderman, by last will, 

dated December, 1568, willed that " his wife should 
yearly bestow four pounds in the poor hows called 
the Normans, by the discrecion of the mayor, 
&c, during her life : " twelve pounds were paid on 
this bequest. 

1571, " Mr. Thomas Grene, mayor, an obligation of ten 
pounds, given by Sir Richard Sothwell to the use 
of the poor." 

1573, John Husbond of Mulkebarton, gave to this house 
six pounds thirteen shillings and four-pence. 

Alice Bacon, widow of Henry Bacon, alderman, 

bequeathed to the house of the Normans, three 
pounds six shillings and eight-pence, which was 
paid a. d. 1574. 
Several other small legacies appear in the accounts of 

bridewell, which begin a. d. 1565. 

* Book of Orders aforesaid. — See those Orders under said year, 1571. 
f Stow's Survey, Lond. 



IN NORWICH. 



221 



What rooms or apartments were in this house, a. d. 
1578, appears from the following note ; and also what the 
value of the stock and goods therein was at that time : — 

" A remembraunce of the rest of the stocke of wooll 
remaining to the housse of brydwell, which Nicholas 
Sotherton left at his departure from thence, 1578 ; soil. 
sixty-three stone of wooll, valued at twenty-five pounds 
four shillings and ten-pence. 

" Moreover, a stocke of housshold goods and imple- 
ments remaining, belonging to the said house, in the 
following rooms, namely, — The white chamber, the half- 
mone chamber, the star chamber, the flower-de-lusse 
chamber, the rose chamber, the correction housse, the 
working chamber, the maids' chamber, the keeper's cham- 
ber, the kytchyn, the mylle house, the yard, the south 
chamber, the myll chamber, the gate-house, the porter's 
lodge, the nether aulms-house, the upper aulms-houses, 
Mother Bower's chamber, &c. : value forty-eight pounds 
eight shillings and four -pence.* 

Afterwards, the city had some trouble concerning the 
premises, and also the free-school, on occasion of a frau- 
dulent conveyance of them, made by the dean and chapter, 
as follows ; which however were upon arbitration decreed 
to the city, as of right they ought. This appears from the 
following extracts of the instruments, namely : — 

" This indenture, made the twentieth of June, in the 
the twenty-third year of Elizabeth, between Richard 
Conengesby of Ruscombe in the county of Berks and 
Nicholas Brooke of Waltham Holy Crosse in the county 
of Essex, esq., of the one partty, and John Bayt {alias 
Bate) of Byrlyngham St. Peter in the county of Nor- 
folk, gentleman, of the other partty. Whereas, George 
* Book of Bridewell. 



222 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Gardyner, doctor of dyvynyty, dean of the cathedral church 
of the Holy and Indyvisible Trynyty of Norwich, of the 
foundation of king Edward the sixths and the chapter of 
the same place, by their indenture, sealled with their 
common chapter seall, and enrolled in her highness court 
of chauncery, dated the fifth of February, the twenty-first 
year of Elizabeth, inter alia, have dymyzed, granted, and 
letten to farme, to our said sovereign lady the queen, all 
that their parsonage of Hemblyngton in the county of 
Norfolk, with all its appurtenances, and all their mannor 
called the Normans, with its appurtenances, in the county 
of the citty of Norwich, with all th'owses and grounds, 
called the hospitall of St. Paull in the Normans, with their 
appurtenances ; and also all the howses and grownds with- 
in the precynct of the cathedral church of Norwich, called 
the charnell howses, with their appurtenances ; to have 
and to howld from the annuntiation of our lady next after 
the date, unto the end of one hundred yeres, paying to 
the said dean and chapter and successors with the other 
things as therein contained. 

" And whereas the said queen, by indenture under the 
great seal, dated the eighth of May, in the twenty-first 
year of the queen, hath dymysed, &c, to the said Richard 
Conengesby and Nicholas Brooke the said indenture of 
lease of the said George Gardyner, to hold the premises 
during the term, &c. Now this indenture witnesseth, 
that the said Richard Conengesby and Nicholas Brooke 
do grant, sell, &c, to the said John Bayt (alias Bate), his 
executors and assigns, all their estate, right, title, &c, in 
the premises." 

A bond of five hundred marks was sealed by the 
said dean and chapter to the mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and 
commonalty of Norwich, dated the nineteenth of December, 



IN NORWICH. 



223 



in the twenty-fifth year of Elizabeth. Condition — to " stand 
to and perform th'awarde and decree, &c, of Eichard 
Davye and Richard Godfrie, esqs., arbitrators, elected as 
well on the part of the said dean and chapter as on the 
part of the said mayor, sheriffs, cittizens, and commonalty, 
to determyne of such right, title, and interest as the said 
dean and chapter do pretend to have of, in, and to the site 
of the late chappell or chantrie, commonlie called the 
charnell-howse, nowe used for the common schole-house 
for the said citty of Norwich, being within the precincte of 
the cathedral church aforesaid, nowe in the occupacion and 
possession of the said mayor, sheriffs, cittizens and com- 
monalty ; and of, in, and to all the howses, yards, gar- 
dens, &c, belonging to the same, now also in their occu- 
pation and possession ; and also of and for such right, 
title, &c, as the said dean and chapter have or cleyme of, 
in, and to the site of the late hospitall of St. Paull, 
commonly called the Normans, nowe called Brydwell, in 
the parish of St. Paull within the said citty, now also in 
their occupation." 

The award of the said Richard Davye and Richard 
Godfrie. — " That, forasmuch as the said mayor, sheriffs, 
cittizens, and commonalty have showed forth to us the 
letters patent of king Edward the sixth, dated the first of 
July, the second year of his reign, whereby the said late 
king, by the advice of his uncle, Edward, duke of Somerset, 
governor of his person and protector of his realms, and by 
the advice of other of his counsellors, dyd grant to Edward 
Warner, knight, and Richard Catlyn of Norwich, the 
yonger, gentleman, inter alia, the said scyte of the afore- 
said chappell or chauntry, and all other the howses, &c, 
belonging, by the name of the charnell-hows of St. Thomas,* 
* Should be St. John. 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



within the said precynct, then or late in the hands of the 
minister and chapleynes of the same late chappell or 
charnell, to have and hold to them, their heirs and assigns, 
for ever ; the estate of which the said Sir Edward Warner, 
and Richard Catlyn, of and in the premisses, the said 
mayor, sheriffs, cittizens, and commonalty, have and do 
enjoy, by and under certain good and lawful mean con- 
veyances in wryting, to us the said arbitrators lykewise 
showed. And the said mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and com- 
monalty, being of the premisses thereby lawfully seysed in 
their demesne as of fee, have long sithens altered and 
converted the same to a school-hows, to teach grammar 
schollers, and therin have assigned lodgings and romeths, 
as well for the hed master as for the usher, to their great 
costes and charges, &c. ; until now of late the dean and 
chapter of the said cathedral church have pretended tytle 
therunto, as supposing or pretending the same to have 
been given them by the letters patent of the said king 
Edward the sixth, as parcel of their possessions within the 
precynct of their said cathedral church, before the said 
letters patent made by the said late king Edward to Sir 
Edward Warner and Richard Catlyne. And thereuppon, 
the said dean and chapter, by the name of George Gardiner, 
doctor of divinity, &c, and chapter, &c, did demise to 
queen Elizabeth, &c, as before-mentioned ; which said 
John Bate hath heretofore surrendered and given up his 
supposed interest and term of years in the premises unto 
the said dean and chapter; namely, in the said charnell 
and hospitall of Normans, by deed dated the first of 
January, in the twenty-fifth year of queen Elizabeth. And 
also, forasmuch as the said mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and 
commonalty hath showed us an indenture of lease of the 
said scyte of the hospital of St. Paull, called the Normans, 



IN NORWICH. 



225 



and now called Brydwell, with the appurtenances, sealed by 
the said dean and chapter, and made to the said mayor, &c., 
bearing date the twenty-first of September, in the seven- 
teenth year of queen Elizabeth, for five hundred years. 
Whereof the said mayor, &c, by virtue of the same inden- 
ture have bene ever sythens and yet are possessed, and 
part of the same hows haue employed and used for lodgengs 
for straungers, as in tyme past hath been accustomed, and 
part thereof have converted to a brydewell and hows of 
correction for sturdie beggars, and therein have set them 
to work, to the great benefit of the commonwealth. And 
the same howses have ever sythens to their great costes 
and charges maynteyned, and sufficiently repayrd. Know 
yee now, that we, the said arbitrators, having before us the 
mayor of the said city, and certain of th' aldermen, and the 
dean of the said church, and certen of the prebends, and 
hearyng and considering the causes of controversie, and all 
the evydences being seen, perused, &c, Do award, that the 
said mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty have good 
right, title, and interest in the said late chappell or chaun- 
trie, commonly called the charnell-house, &c, saving only 
a rent-charge of three shillings and four -pence out of one 
parcel of ground, parcel of the premysses, and payable 
yearly at the feast of Easter to the said dean and chapter 
and their successors. And that therefore the said mayor, 
sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty, owght to have, hold, 
and enjoye the same chappelle, &c, for ever. And further, 
that the said dean and chapter and their successors, and 
every other person pretending any lawful interest in the 
premysses, shall at all tymes hereafter doe and suffer, or 
cause to be done and suffered, all and euery act, &c, what- 
soever, for the better and further assurance of the premysses 
to the said mayor, &c, and. their successors, or to such 

Q 



226 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c 



person or persons as shall by the said mayor, &c., be there- 
unto named or appoynted to th' use of the same mayor, &c. 

" The arrears of the said rent of three shillings and 
four-pence, being, for thirty-two years, five pounds six 
shillings and eight-pence, shall be paid to the said dean 
and chapter, upon Dr. Spencer's tomb, within the said 
cathedral church. 

" Further, we award, &c, that the said mayor, sheriffs, 
citizens, and commonalty shall enjoy the Normans, now 
called Brydewell, to them and to their successors, for the 
residue of the term of five hundred years before mentioned. 
In witness whereof, we, the said arbitrators, to this our pre- 
sent award have set our seals. Given on the eleventh day 
of January, in the twenty-fifth year of queen Elizabeth."* 

In the same year and month, namely, a. d. 1583, the 
seventeenth of January, in the twenty-fifth year of Eliza- 
beth, John Bate, before mentioned, granted to the mayor, 
sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty, all that the manor 
called the Normans, with all its appurtenances, with all 
the houses and grounds called the Hospital of St. Paul, 
and all his estate, title, and interest therein, by virtue of 
the aforesaid indenture of assignment from R. Conengesby 
and N. Brooke. And the particulars thereof appear by 
the following schedule annexed, namely, the parcels be- 
longing to the manor of the Normans in possession and 
reversion. 

" Imprimis. — The mannour, with all the profyghtes 
of court and leete, and increase of rents, twenty-eight 
shillings and ten-pence. 

" Item. — The rectory or personage of St. Paulle, va- 
lued at thirty-three shillings and four -pence, now let-ten 
for six shillings and eight-pence. 

* C. L. A., fol. 105, &c. 



IN NORWICH, 227 

"Item. — A close or yard, called Showldam's yard, 
now in the tenure of Mrs. Whalle for certain yeres yet to 
come, and paye at this tyme three shillings and four-pence. 

" Stimma. — One pound eighteen shillings and ten- 
pence." 

" All the whole hows of the hospitalle of St. Paulle, 
called the Normans, whereof the said mayour, shrevis, 
citizens, and commonaltye, have the one parte in posses- 
sion, the other parte they are to injoye in revercion after 
the'nd of William Blenerhassct his lease. 

"Item. — Agreate close in revercion, called Spyk's Close." 

These last parcels are not valued for the time.* 

Now, as to the bridewell, after the house in St. Andrew's 
parish was purchased by the city, and appointed for the 
same use, a. d. 1598, the houses belonging to the Normans 
were let out, and the revenues assigned to the maintenance 
of the said new bridewell. 

A. D. 1631.— The city leased to Robert Brooke, for 
ten pounds paid down, the Normans for twenty-one years, 
at eight pounds per annum rent, except the chambers and 
rooms used for alms-rooms for poor widows on the east 
part of the court-yard, &c. Also, the said Robert Brook 
was obliged to take in and lodge, for one night, in a 
convenient room within some part of the said premises, 
all and every such wayfaring person and persons as here- 
after shall be sent unto the said house by the mayor for 
the time being, for the purpose aforesaid.f And, in the 
lease made a. d. 1687, the said alms-rooms are also 
excepted, and lodging to be found as aforesaid. The said 
house of the Normans is situated on the south side of a 
street, which lies between the same and the churchyard of 
St. Paul's church ; and one part of it is a high old-fashioned 
house, which hath a wide and long chamber, namely, 
* C. L. A., f . 1 14 and 1 15. f C. L. A., f. 297. 



228 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



twenty-four yards long and eight yards broad, wherein are 
now twelve distinct apartments, inhabited by so many poor 
widows, appointed by the officers of the said St. Paul's 
parish, who have their dwellings there gratis ; and once a 
month two dozen of bread (as they call it, that is, two 
shillings' worth) divided amongst them, of the gift of old 
Salter, the priest before mentioned. There is an alley 
between these little rooms, extending from the one end of 
the chamber to the other. 

From having been so long inhabited by women, the 
house is commonly called the Sisters of Normans ; and 
the people of the parish believe it was founded by two 
sisters, and that anciently it served for the entertainment 
of pilgrims going to the Lady of Walsingham, who, they 
say, were to receive here meat, and drink, and lodging, 
for one night, and four-pence in the morning : then to 
proceed on their journey. But let the account I have 
before given correct this tradition. 

And as to the said manor, the city, instead of having 
profit, were indeed losers by it, as appears from the accounts 
of receipts and expences, namely, — 

RECEIPTS. 

"A.D.I 625. — Normans Manor. Received of diversl ^' s ' d ' 
persons for the rent of divers grounds and! 
tenements belonging to the same, (the parti- 0 16 11^ 
culars being expressed in an account of a.d. 
1585) due at Michaelmas J 

" Of divers persons for copyhold rents belonging t0 j q 13 3 
the said manor (as in said account) ) 

"Of William Wardon, for the whole year's ferme of\ 

an orchard, let by indenture, and holden of [ 0 3 4 
said manor ' 

" Of Daniel Burman, for a fine t 0 2 4 

" Summa £ 1 14 



IN NORWICH. 



229 



DISBURSEMENTS. 

£. s. d. 

Paid to the bailiff of Christ-Church, for the year's 

ferine of the said manor 

Paid the steward for keeping the court there 0 3 4 

Paid charges of a dinner for the steward, chamber- 
lains, and their counsel, and some tenants . 

" Summa £ 3 3 0' 



2 0 0 



0 19 8 



Also, a. d. 1626, the whole year's profits were but 
thirty-four shillings and ten-pence farthing, and payments 
out three pounds three shillings and ten-pence ; and A. d. 
1633, the profits or receipts but thirty- two shillings and 
sixpence farthing, and payments forty shillings and ten- 
pence; no court being kept that year,f which. I think is 
the last year of it in the chamberlain's accounts. This was 
a time of contention between the city and the church. 

And I find that, in the beginning of trie year 1634, 
namely, the twenty-third of January, this order was made 
by the court of mayoralty, namely, — " Upon consideration 
taken of the passages of the conveyances of the manor of 
Normans, which the city claimeth under the title of queen 
Elizabeth, by virtue of a lease to her made by the dean 
and chapter, in the twenty -first year of her reign ; and of 
the site of the manor of Normans, which the city claimeth 
by virtue of a lease made in the seventh year of the reign 
of queen Elizabeth, by the dean and chapter, to the said 
city for five hundred years, it is thought fit that the dean 
be attended, and that it be intimated to him that, if the 
church will permit the city to enjoy St. Paul's church, 
and the Shouldham yard, and the rest of the things de- 
mised according to the demise, then the city will hold the 
lease and pay the rent: if not, the city will willingly 
* Comp. Camera?-. Civit. a.D. 16'25. f Comp. Camer. 



230 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



leave what they claim by that lease, and hold only the 
site of the manor for five hundred years, and will give 
order for the delivery of the rolls and rentals." — (And I 
believe the city quitted the manor the same year.) 

HILDEBROND'S HOSPITAL. 

Another hospital there was, on the west side of Cones- 
ford-Street, not far north from the church of St. Peter of 
Southgate, and adjoining to the south side of the churchyard 
of the quondam parish church of St. Edward, which was 
founded about a. d. 1200, by Hildebrond, a mercer and 
noted citizen of Norwich, whereof, in the register of the 
archdeaconry of Norwich, made in Edward the third's 
time, it is thus recorded : — " There is in the parish of 
St. Edward, a certain hospital called Hildbronde's Spytelle, 
lying near the churchyard on the south side, built with 
houses, and a hall and chamber (or apartment) for the 
master. In which said hospital, poor people, wanting 
lodging, (hospitium) ought to be entertained, (hospitari) 
and to have a certain quantity of fewel (focaliu?n) from 
the master. The same master hath also a certain chapel 
appropriated to the said hospital, and annexed to the 
church of St. Edward aforesaid, at the west end of it. 
And there belong to the same chapel one missal, one 
portuis, one vestment, two altar-cloths, one napkin, two 
phials, and a chest for the vestment. And the master 
aforesaid may celebrate (mass) in the same chapel freely, 
as often and whensoever he pleaseth. And the hospital 
aforesaid is worth a hundred shillings per annum."* 

The following deed was for the ground purchased to 
build the hospital upon, or ground adjoining belonging 
to it, which take from the original : — 



* Beg. Archid. et Doomsd. E. Cath. N. 



IN NORWICH. 



" Know all men that I, Roger, the son of Richard de 
Duneviz, have granted and delivered to Hildebrond the 
mercer, and his heirs, the half part (medietatem) of all 
the ground in the parish of St. Edward, in Cunegesford, 
which lyes between the churchyard of the said church, 
and the ground of Hervey, the son of Toche, to have 
hereditarily, and to hold of me and of my heirs, paying 
thence yearly six-pence at the Feast of St. Michael. For 
this grant and livery, the before-named Hildebrond hath 
given me ten shillings (de Gersumia.) And I and my heirs 
will warrant to him and his heirs the ground before 
mentioned, against all people now being and for time to 
come succeeding. And that this grant may remain firm 
and unshaken, I have corroborated the present charter 
with the security of my seal, these being witnesses : John, 
the son of Copine ; Hervey, the mercer ; John, the son 
of Herbert ; Simon Erl ; Reginald Picot ; Geffrey, the son 
of Sibwine ; William Cureie ; Gilbert le Brun ; Ranulph, 
the mercer; Walter Russel ; Eustace, the son of John; 
Adam Ferant; and others. 5 '* 

In the third year of king Edward the first, it was 
presented by a jury before the king's justices, that Simon, 
sometime bishop of Norwich, had appropriated to himself 
the donation of a certain hospital in Norwich, founded in 
the king's fee by Hildebrond le mercer, sometime citizen 
of Norwich, which is worth twelve marks per annum, and 
that the present bishop does the same. — They know not by 
what warrant. 

REVENUES BELONGING TO THE SAID HOSPITAL. 
The total of the revenues are estimated before : some 
of the particulars are as follow : — 

* Autograph in Guildhall N. Inter. Cart. Hospit. S. Egidii. 



2S2 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



Ralph, bishop of Norwich, granted, in the eighteenth 
year of Edward the first, to John, the son of Simon le 
mercer, and his heirs, a messuage in St. Edward's parish, 
next the river, sometime the messuage of Hildebrond the 
mercer, paying yearly to the hospital of the said lord 
bishop of Hildebrond's, and to the master of the same for 
the time being, eight shillings and six-pence. 

And Robeit de Dalby then quit-claimed his right in 
the said messuage to the same Simon, which he had before 
held of the grant of John de Royng, sometime master.* 

A tenement on the north side of Sandgate. 

Out of a messuage at the corner on the south side of 
a lane, now called St. Ann's Lane, in Conesford, a rent of 
three shillings and six-pence. f 

Out of a messuage of the prior and convent of Norwich, 
on the south side of St. Peter's of Parmontergate church- 
yard, thirty-pence per annum4 

A. D. 1262. — The master and brethren of this hospital, 
by a deed under their common seal, granted to Mr. Adam 
of St. Alban, and his heirs, a piece of ground in the said 
parish of St. Peter Parmontergate, paying yearly forty- 
pence^ 

Out of a messuage of the fee of the said master 
and brethren upon the Cordwainer-row, in the parish of 
St. Peter of Mancroft, a perpetual rent of fifteen shillings 
and six-pence. || 

The infirmarius of the monastery of the cathedral 
church of Norwich paid to the said hospital a rent of two 
shillings and sixpence. ^[ 

* Rot. Cart 18 Edward i. f 19 Edward i. 

i A. D. 1267, 52 Henry in Aut. A. E N. § Axil. A. E. N. 

|| Tempore Henry m — Aut. A. E. N. 
\ Compot. Inf. E. N.—34 Henry vi. 



A 



IN NORWICH. 



The city paid to it seven shillings and six-pence per 
annum, for a stall or stalls in the market.* 
The hospital of St. Giles, two shillings. f 



RENTS RESOLUTE BY THE SAID HOSPITAL. 

To the city of Norwich, four-pence per annum land- 
gable, for the messuage first mentioned.* 

To the prioress of Carhowe, four -pence, (as it seems) 
for some ground adjoining to the hospital.^ 

BENEFACTORS. 

A. D. 1428. — William Setman, c. n., (sometime -mayor 
of the city) by his last will thus : " Item. — I will that a 
conference shall be had with the master of Ivy-halle, late 
called the Hospital, in Conysford, in Norwich. If the 
master for the time being will, for the future, submit to and 
observe with effect the {onus antiquum dicto hospitali impo- 
situm) ancient charge (or orders) imposed (or constituted) 
for the same hospital, that then the rent of old time 
coming (or due to that hospital) out of two houses, whereof 
the one is situated at the end of the lane which leads 
to the collegiate church of St. Mary, on the north side, and 
the other house, late of John Spycer, in Overnewport, in 
Norwich, be restored to the hospital aforesaid." || 

From this, you may observe that the priests had in 
this hospital (as in those of St. Paul and St. Giles, which 
they had the government of) perverted the charitable 
purpose of the founder, and took most of the profits to 
themselves, though they kept up something of the form of 
an hospital. 

* Comp. Thes. Civ — 26 Henry vi. f 45 Edward in. 
| Doomsd. — 20 Richard n., &c. 
§ Rental Carrow Temp. Edward m. || Reg. Surf el, f. 124. 



234 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



It becomes all persons, to whom the government of 
any hospital or other charitable donation is committed, to 
be strictly careful that the charities be rightly employed 
and preserved, that so neither the people of their own 
times, nor posterity, may have any just occasion to censure 
them ; but especially for conscience' sake they should 
do this. 

Observe also, that the name was changed to Ivy-hall, 
probably from ivy growing on the old walls of it. 

A. D. 1440. — Robert Steynton, rector of the churches 
of St. Julian and St. Edward, " bequeathed to the hospital 
of St. Edward, a green coverlet, a pair of blankets, and a 
pair of sheets. A. D. 1457. Item. — To the poor of the 
hospital of Ivy-halle, 

A. D. 1458. — Emma Sewy, of St. Edward's parish, 
willed " to be buried in the chapel of St. Mary, built near 
the church of St. Edward. Item. — I bequeath to the said 
church, one vestment, newly made. Item. — I will that 
the said chappel of St. Mary be paved with brod Flaun- 
dryssche tyle."f 

A. D. 1459. — Alice, the relict of William Grey, late 
alderman, bequeathed " to the repair of the beds of the 
hospital of Ivy-halle, in Norwich, two shillings.^ 



HOSPITAL DE HILDEBROND. § 
HOSPITALE B. MARIE DE HILDEBROND, IN CONESFORD, 1401. || 
Note. — This hospital is called the Hospital of St. Mary, 
in one writing which I have seen, dated 8 Edward n., 
which says it was founded by Hildebrond and Maud his 

* Reg. Doke, f. 144. f Reg. Decani N., in Guildhall. 
X Reg. Betyns, f. 49. § Cart. Autog. — 1 Edward ill. 
|| Lib. Instit. temp. Hen. Spenser, Epi. Norwic. 



IN NORWICH. 



235 



wife;* and several times the Chantry of Ivy-halle, as 

22 Edward iv., 1, 2, Richard m., 1 Henry vn., &c. 
Hospital de Hildebrond voc. Ivy-halle.f 
And in the catalogue of Religious Houses suppressed, 

Hilderland's hospital, when it was valued at no more than 

fourteen shillings and two-pence. 



MASTERS OF THE SAID HOSPITAL. 

Nicholas, rector of the church of Bernham, master.— 
47 Henry m., 1262.J 

John de Royng, late master. — 18 Edward i. 

Thomas de Mutforde, chaplain, master. — 18 Edward i.§ 

This Thomas was probably the forestalling corn-buyer, 
of whom we find this note of amercement, namely, — " Of 
Master Thomas of Hildebronde spitel, because he buys 
corn before it comes to the market, whereby the baillives 
lose their toll, four shillings. || 

5 Idus May, 1320. — The bishop of Norwich granted 
to John de Wykelwode the custody of his hospital of 
Hildebrund : ^[ and he was master, 1 Edward.** 

Robert de Langele was custos afterward ; and, on the 
twenty-first of December, 1353, the bishop granted the 
custody of it, vacant by the resignation of the said Robert, 
to Henry de Plumpstede, priest, with all its appurtenances ; 
and with charge of account, to be yearly rendered accord- 
ing to the form of the novel constitution (quia contingit) 
in that behalf set forth. 

13 May, 1385. — Petrus Mighal, custos admissus, ad 
prses. Dni Regis nomen, ratione temporalium Episcopates 
Norvicensis.ff 

* Aut. in A. E. N. f 26 Henry vi. \ A. E. N. 

§ Rot. Cart. |1 Rot. Amerc. Lete Conesf. et Bern 24 Edward i. 

% Lib. Instit. ** A. E. N. ff Lib. Instit. 



236 



RELIGIOUS HOUSES, &c. 



8 December, 1385. — Joes. Eyr ad presentationem Dni 
R. eadem ratione, J ohn de Elmham, master. — 20 Rich., ii.* 

6 December, 1401. — Mr. William de Tryseby custos 
sive magister, ad coll. Dni Epi. Norwic. 

3 July, 1405. — Joes. Hawkins, ad collationem Dni 
Epi. Norwic. 

26 May, 1412. — John Bowde, late rector of St. Bar- 
tholomew's, Norwich, exchanged that living with Hawkins 
for the mastership of this hospital, to which he was collated 
by the bishop. 

20 November, 1413. — William Hayton was collated. 

2b March, 1419.— William Toly was collated. 

Roger Malmsbury, master, on whose resignation — 

12 March, 1471, Thomas Massenger was collated. 

7 October, 1497. — John Jollys was collated. 
Afterwards, the site of the said hospital came into 

the hands of the dean and chapter of Norwich, and there 
remains. 

Whence, in a rental of Christ-Church farms, a.d. 1616, 
of Mrs. Mary Newhowse, widow, for Ive-hall, for one year's 
farm, one shilling ; and a. d. 1626, the same. 

* Lib. Instit. 



APPENDIX. 



NOTES 

CONCERNING 

NORWICH CASTLE. 



APPENDIX. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 

♦ 

OF THE CASTLE. 

In the heart of the city almost, stands the Castle, an 
ancient structure, built on a hill, which is seated in a cer- 
tain ground called now vulgarly the Castle Dykes, and 
written (correctly as commonly supposed) the Castle and 
Fee* instead of the Castle Fee, or Fee of the Castle ; in 
Latin "Feodum Castelli" which signifies the land belong- 
ing to the Castle, for so the word feodum or fee was used. 
This land was called " Castel Lo?id" IS and 15 Richard n., 
which ground is almost a square, but wants of a complete 
rectangle at the north-west part, being rounded ofi> and 
also at the opposite south-east part, which is also a deficient 
angle and irregular. The Hill is not in the midst, but 
nearest the north-west part of the said fee, whereof on the 
east side of the Hill is a large square ground, encompassed 
on the north-east and south sides with houses, and lies 
with a descent eastward. This part is usually called the 



Evidently Castellan Fee. 



APPENDIX. 



Castle Meadow, and, 49 Edward in., was also named the 
" Castel Medew." Here, at fair times, Whitsuntide and 
Trinity, are sold neat cattle. 

In ancient time the Hill was not circular, as it may at 
first sight seem, and as it has been usually described, but 
was very near of a square form, as is still plainly to be seen ; 
the four sides of it respecting the four cardinal points of 
the compass, though of late years two of the angles have 
been spoiled in part by foot-paths made ; the north-east 
angle chiefly, which in part was defaced in the time of the 
civil wars by making a horn-work or platform for cannon, 
with a breast-work at the foot of the Hill there : but, in 
A.D. 1721, much more spoiled by an unnecessary large 
road made there for coaches and carts to go up and down 
the Hill ; and the south-west angle also by footpaths and 
by digging of sand, which has caused much of the Hill 
there to fall down. 



DIMENSIONS OF THE TOP OF THE HILL. 

[A blank left, not filed up in the Manuscript.] 

The Castle, or indeed the Keep of the Castle, (for the 
whole top of the Hill or Castle-yard, when walled round 
about, together with all the works belonging to it, was 
called the Castle) stands not in the midst of the Hill, but 
near the south-west corner of it. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE CASTLE, AND DIMENSIONS. 

\A blank left in the Manuscript.] 

Anciently the top of the Hill or Castle-yard was en- 
compassed on all sides by a strong wall, fortified with 
diverse towers built of brick and stone, the bricks very 
large, a good piece of which remains still on the south 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



241 



side ; but the earth on the outside of it is settled, or washed 
away lower than the foundation of it. To this piece of wall 
the jailor's house on the hill now adjoins : also part of a 
tower , which jutted out semicircular ly, I have often seen 
there, till, a.d. 1707, it was beaten down, when the east 
part of that house was new built. No entrance could be 
had to the castle or top of the hill but by the castle-gate 
only, which was on the bridge, and was inclosed with a 
high wall on each side, and on the midst of it was the gate 
vaulted over, and with a lofty and strong tower upon it. 

The castle is one of the great ornaments of the city; 
and whilst the walls and towers were standing around the 
castle-yard, they certainly rendered it the grandest orna- 
ment here, and the more from its high situation, whereby 
it was so conspicuous (as the castle itself still is) not only 
to travellers who were coming to the city, at some miles 
distance from it, but also in the market-place, and in many 
streets of the city, above the tops of the houses. A great 
part of the said walls (without doubt much decayed by 
time before) were thrown down by engines into the ditch, 
in the time of the great rebellion, when they made the 
platform before-mentioned on the east-side of the hill. 
But there was much of the walls standing afterwards on the 
west and north sides of the hill, in the memory of ancient 
men ; and I remember, when a boy, to have seen many of 
the large bricks scattered about on the outside of the hill ; 
and, a.d. 1721, 1 saw the foundation of the wall very fair at the 
north-east corner, when the new large way was there made. 

But of late years the beauty of the castle itself was 
much impaired, (in about a.d. 1707,) by taking down the 
battlements of it, which was done with no small labour and 
expense, to save the charge of repairing them, and also to 
have the freestone of them for repairing the ancient cracks 

R 



APPENDIX 



or clefts which were in it, from the top down to the midst, 
and lower, in the east and south sides of it, and for other 
repairs. 

It is firmly believed by the generality of the common 
people of the city, that those clefts were made in the castle 
by the earthquake which happened at the crucifixion of 
our Saviour. But I have found tradition so very false, 
not only in this, but many other things relating to the 
ancient affairs of the city, that I must from experience say 
tradition is a liar ; and as to this particular, the evident 
reason of those clefts was, because the castle was built so 
near the brink of the hill, that by its own weight it settled 
and cracked. 

As for the hill, it may be observed, that it is partly 
natural and partly artificial ; for the high ground or hill 
which is on the west side of the river, and beginning near 
Carrow on the south, runs northward into the city unto the 
castle-hill, which in old time was the extremity of it, in 
the manner of a promontory, which was very steep here 
on all sides, except the south, where it joined to the rest 
of the high ground, and was therefore well fitted by nature 
to be easily fortified, which was done by separating from 
the rest of it so much as they thought requisite for the 
castle, by making a prodigious large and deep ditch on 
that side, over which, for necessary communication, was 
built the fine and large stone bridge above mentioned. 
And also they continued the ditch round about the foot of 
the hill in the low ground, throwing the earth outwards, 
which made a bank about the ditch on all sides, though 
not half so high on any part as that next mentioned on the 
south side ; but so that on all sides the bottom of the ditch 
was of equal depth from the top of the hill ; and again, 
for better security, they left a bank of earth of about 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



243 



twenty yards broad, and in length from east to west, about 

yards, which they raised higher than the rest of the 

hill that lay further southward, and made so steep on 
both sides, and so narrow on the top, that no great number 
of men could possibly stand thereon to assault the castle. 
This still is evident in that part of the bank which lies to 
the eastward of the bridge ; but the top of the part which 
is to the westward of it has been in the memory of man 
thrown down, made much lower, and more level or plain, 
and the form of it quite altered by cart-ways made through 
it, and by the uttermost ditch of it being filled up, &c. 
But beyond this they also made a second ditch in like 
manner further southward, over which no bridge is now to 
be seen. But a bridge there was anciently, because on 
the hill which is without the second ditch, and opposite to 
the stone bridge, did formerly stand the shire-house, 
with which there must have been a direct communication. 
And, besides, the church of St. John of Timberhill, which 
is at a further distance southward, is called in ancient 
writings, St. John's before the castle-gate ; and several old 
evidences belonging to the cathedral church, mention lands 
and houses before the gate of the castle, in the parish of 
St. Martin of Bailly. 

Another bridge therefore there was, but, whereas now 
not so much as the ruins of it are to be seen, I suppose it 
was made of timber ; and as to the large pieces of old walls 
which lie now in the second ditch, whereof one is pitched 
so perpendicular or upright on an end, that it might be 
supposed to have been built there ; yet upon information 
from ancient persons, I find those pieces did stand on the 
hill, near the north side of that ditch, and the ground 
settling, or being undermined to dig sand, they fell down 
into it. These walls, when standing, did seem to have 

R 2 



244 



APPENDIX. 



been part of a great gate and tower, which stood here at 
the*ends of the walls of the bridge, which probably were 
continued farther south than now they are, and ran across 
the bank which lies between the two ditches, unto the said 
wooden bridge. 

And if you observe the largest of those pieces of wall, 
it is evident it could not be built in the ditch where it lies, 
because the courses of the mortar and stones of it do run 
parallel with the perpendicular of its height, which, if it 
had been built there, must have been parallel with the 
horizon, as it is in all buildings. 



ANTIQUITY OF THE CASTLE. 
The city of Norwich as well as the castle thereof, 
according to Alexander Nevill, owes its original to Gur- 
guntus, the son of Belinus, the twenty-fourth king of 
Britain from Brutus, who after he had by war recovered 
the tribute which the Danes were used to pay to Belinus 
his father, and having slain Gutlac king of Denmark, in 
the sixth year of his reign, (and in returning back, granted 
Ireland, before uninhabited, unto Parthalus and Cantaber, 
Spanish [Ducibus] captains, to be inhabited by them under 
tribute) the said Gurguntus having observed in the east 
part of Britain a place well fitted by nature for the build- 
ing a fortress on, he there founded a certain castle, which 
being begun in a four-square form and of white stone, on 
the top of a high hill (near the river, of old time called 
Sydumanus, afterwards the Yare),* the king, agreeably to 
his name, as it seems, called it Kaier Guntum, that is, the 
Castle of Guntus. However, according to the unstable 



* Both these names of the river are mistakes, as I shall elsewhere show. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



245 



course of human affairs, the founder thereof died before it 
was finished. 

But Guthelinus, his successor, perfected the work 
begun, and fortified it with a wall, bank, [vallo] and double 
ditches, of which the one encompasseth the bottom of the 
hill, round about, and the other was drawn before the 
gate and bridge, and turned thence on either side, so that 
it made the form of a semi-circle, the ends whereof ex- 
tended to near the diameter of the inward ditch, and 
would still have been seen [cum ed tantum non coiere] to 
have almost run into it, were it not that, by the muck and 
rubbish [purgamentis] of the city, (as now for some years 
past hath been begun to be done) and the dirt [sordihus] 
which is daily carried out of the houses, the citizens have 
almost filled it up. 

Moreover, he made to the castle certain subterraneous 
vaults of a long and blind or intricate extent ; and, changing 
the name thereof from that of Gurguntus to his own, he 
caused the place to be called Kaier Guthelin in the British 
language, which signifies the Castle of Guthelinus. 

And thus the castle remained and was called for many 
years; no memorable additions being made to it, that any 
history speaks of, except that Julius Caesar, the great con- 
queror, about forty years before the incarnation of Christ, 
erected many buildings about the castle, as tradition relates. 

But after the coming of the Saxons into Britain, the 
Anglo-Saxons took possession of the east part of Britain, 
that which now contains the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, 
and Cambridgeshire. And a.d. 481, the said Angles made 
a king over their eastern Britain ; and then their new king 
took the castle of Guthelinus for his royal seat, and the 
Angles began to build houses about the castle, and there 
dwelt, and employed themselves in fishing, and called the 



246 



APPENDIX. 



castle Burchester,* but more probably it was Norchester, 
that is, the north castle, in regard to the Roman castle or 
camp at Caster. 

This is the account given by Alexander Nevill, in his 
book called Norwicus^ published not long after the be- 
ginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign ; and when the said 
queen afterwards came to Norwich, the story of Gurguntus 
was avowed by the citizens, in one of their shows and 
speeches made for her reception and entertainment here. 

Another writer tells us, that Julius Caesar built the 
walls of the castle, and Cassibelan the city ; and that 
afterwards Thenatius, Lud's son by marriage with Blanche, 
Julius's kinswoman, gave the castle to be named Blaunche- 
flower, and so held by that name long time.:}: 

In the collections of Mr. Watts,§ (some time steward 
of this city) I find to the same purpose, Castrum Norwici, 
Cacer Guntinum, et Burgh cestre. " The castle of Norwich 
had Gurguntius for its founder, from whom it was at first 
called Cair Guntinum and afterwards Cair Guthelinum, 
because it was begun by Gurguntius and finished by 
Guthelinus." And he quotes for it Dr Caius de Antiquitate 
Cantab, f. 108. 

These are the accounts such as we have of the founda- 
tion of the castle : how true I shall not say ; but certain it 
is, the building [castle] now remaining is no work of the 
Britains, nor much, if at all, antienter than the Conquest, 
as from the manner of the architecture is easy to be judged; 
and indeed we do not find in any good history that the 
Britains had any regular buildings. 

* The Castle of the Burgh. f Nevilli Norwicus, p. 106 to 112. 

t P.L.N.N. ex MSS. Themilthorp. 
§ MS. Watts penes E. Lock, attorn. 1717. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



247 



The account which Sir Henry Spelman gives of it is 
of better probability, who writes, that if the city, as Wic 
in the name may imply, was called Northwic or Norwich 
from the castle, the castle is certainly very ancient, and 
perhaps older than the city, in the midst of which it is 
situated, as was the capitol in Rome. " For although I 
should judge," saith he, " from the circular form and vast 
compass [immanem amplitudinem, Qy .altitudinem?] and depth 
of the ditch, that it was a work of the Danes or Normans, 
and the tower [arcem] to be indeed of the Normans ; yet, 
that a castle [castrum] was there from more ancient time, 
both the name of it suggests to me, and a certain charter 
of King Henry i., by which, upon the earnest entreaty of 
Herveus, the first bishop of Ely, he freed that church (de 
jugo servitutis et custodia quam Castello Norwici debebat) 
from the yoke of servitude and the warding due from that 
church to the castle of Norwich. This service could not 
be imposed whilst the lands of the church were possessed 
by the bishops, monks, or nuns, if it had not been due 
before, and therefore it must have been due whilst they 
were in secular hands, viz. of Tombert, prince of the 
southern Girvij, who gave them to his wife iEtheldred, 
the foundress of Ely Monastery, about a.d. 677 : for whilst 
they were in the possession of the ecclesiastics, they [the 
government, I suppose] trusted more in the prayers of the 
church, than in the defence of arms, as say the laws of 
king Edward the Confessor, cap. 12.*" 

That the castle of Norwich was also of an ample 
extent before the coming of the Normans, appears from 
hence, that in Domesday we read, there were eighty-one 
mansions empty in the occupation of the castle. 



* Spelmanni Iceniana. 



248 



APPENDIX. 



" Also this castle of Norwich seems then to have been 
noble, as the metropolis of the province of the Iceni, 
to which that famous Prince of the Girvij, and so con- 
siderable a part of the isle (of Ely), if not the whole, were 
to do service ; and to have belonged first of all to the East- 
Angle Kings, afterwards to the governors, called aldermen, 
dukes, or earls. Therefore, at the building of the said mo- 
nastery, JEtheldred begged the assistance of her brother 
Aldulf, King of the East- Angles ; and in the translation of 
the monks thence to Betrichsword under King Canutus, 
a.d. 1020, Leofine, the abbot, did the same of Earl Thurkil." 
—Thus he. 

But there is not all the certainty one could wish for in 
this; for although there is indeed, in. the first volume of 
Councils published by the same learned knight, a charter 
of King iEthelwulf, a.d. 855, whereby he granted to the 
church the tenth part of his land, and that it should be free 
of all taxes, and (sine expeditione, et pontis extructione et 
arcis munitione) that they might the more diligently pray 
to God for him.* 

But it is to be noted, that whether this grant concerned 
the king's own lands only, or his kingdom, is not plain ; 
and if kingdom, whether only the West-Saxon kingdom, or 
not. Yet Mr. Selden saith, " although that charter of ec- 
clesiastique freedom be extant in Ingulph and Malmsbury, 
and sine expeditione, &c. (which yet, saith that learned 
antiquary, may be understood as for an exception), yet 
divers charters are anciently given as great and religious 
favours by Saxon Kings, which usually reserve those three — 
repairing of bridges, tax for warre, and castel-gard, or 
repairing of them ; as of what (or being such necessary 
charges as) no land should or could be discharged from. 

* Spelmanni Concilia, a.d. 855. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



249 



They are called by a special name, Trinoda necessitas, in a 
patent by King Cedwalla (a.d. 680) to Wilfrid, first Bishop 
of Selesey, giving him Paganham (now Pagham), in Sussex. 
Whereupon it was well noted, when Pope Celestin the 
fourth, endeavouring his grievous exactions from church- 
livings in this state, under Henry the third (see Mat. Paris, 
28 Henry in.), a consultation was held about what duties 
churchmen, by reason of their possessions, were subject to ; 
that the old Kings of England were not so lavishly in- 
dulgent in their grants to churchmen, quin tria semper 
reservarent propter publicam regni utilitatem, videlicet, — 
Expeditionem, Pontis et Arcis reparationes vel refectiones, 
ut per ea resisterent hostium incursibus ; but that they 
always reserved those three for the public good," &c. 

And in like manner we find, in the charter or grant of 
Ethelbald, King of Mercia, Concedo ut omnia monasteries 
et ecclesice regni mei a publicis vectigalibus, operibus, et 
oneribus absolvantur, nisi instructionibusArcium velPontium, 
quce nunquam ulli possunt relaxari* See this last charter 
in Spelman's Councils, a.d. 749, where the words are — Nisi 
instructionibus Pontium vel necessariis defensionibus Arcium 
contra hostes, quce non sunt renuenda. Saving the repairing 
of bridges, or necessary defence of the castles against ene- 
mies, which are not to be refused by the men of the church. 

So that it seems all the land in the nation was either 
assigned to bear, or was upon occasion chargeable with, the 
castle-guard of some castle or other in ancient times. The 
castle of Dover had a garrison of one thousand men, and 
other castles in England were defended in like manner as 
that of Norwich, by the knights, who held so many fees, 
on condition to ward a certain number of weeks, which 



* Seidell's Titles of Honour, part 2, p. 301. 



250 



APPENDIX. 



services were at length, generally turned to contributions in 
money.* 

But if, after all, those particular castle-guard services 
of Norwich Castle, which we have an account of, should 
be found to have been settled by the Conqueror, although 
then the reasoning of Sir Henry Spelman upon the matter 
would not prove the antiquity of it mentioned, so neither 
would this, if allowed, disprove or abate it. But I cannot 
help thinking, from those passages in our historians which, 
mention how William the Conqueror subjected the lands 
of the church to secular services, that this castle-guard 



* Survey of Kent, 4to. 1658, p. 80. " The Conqueror made Lord 
John Fynes (his kinsman) constable of the castle of Dover by inheritance, 
and gave him very many knights' fees for his better maintaining of the same. 
And the said constable made eight chief captains or lieutenant-governors of 
his castle, and to them such knights' fees were assigned, and for the same 
they warded in this castle yearly, as folio weth, viz : — 

Knights* Warded 
Fees. Weeks. 

Sir William of Albrance, otherwise Albrank,' 

had twenty-one knights' fees, and warded • 21 28 
twenty-eight weeks 

Sir William of Arsick 18 24 

Sir Fulbert of Dover 15 20 

Sir Jeffrey Peverell 14 20 

Sir William Mamouth 24 32 

Sir Robert Porth 12 24 

Sir Hugh Crevequer 5 24 

Sir Adam Fitzwilliams 6 24 

And by this means there were always one thousand men in the same for the 
guard thereof. And these captains built and repaired their several towers 
on this castle." 

But how they compute that thousand men I don't understand ; for I 
take it that it appears the knight's service was due but for so many weeks 
at a time, and then ceased for so many weeks, so that about half of them 
were upon duty at a time ; and therefore there being but one hundred and 
fifteen fees, the half, fifty-seven, requires near twenty men for each fee. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



251 



service was included. Matthew Paris (as quoted by the said 
worthy knight, in his Codex Legum Veterum, a.d. 1070, and 
by Mr. Selden, Titles of Honour, part 2, p. 283,) saith, "All 
the bishopricks and abbeys which held baronies, and had 
them till then free from all secular service, he put under 
(servitute militari) knight's service, enrolling all and singular 
the bishopricks and abbeys according to his pleasure ; how 
many knights he would have found by each of them for 
himself and his successors in time of war. And, laying up 
the rolls of this ecclesiastic service in his treasury, he 
forced many ecclesiastics, who contended against that wicked 
constitution, to flee out of the kingdom." 

And also, as far as I can find, much the greater 
part of the lands which owed castle-guard service to the 
castle of Norwich, were the lands belonging to churches, 
as the lands of the Bishop of Norwich, of the Abbot of 
Bury, of the Abbot of Ely. And I think it appears still 
plainer to have been so, from these passages in the registers 
of the said abbey of Bury, viz. : — These are the lands of the 
(feudatorum hominum) feudatory tenants of St. Edmund 
and of Abbot Baldewine, who infeoffed almost all the 
knights presently after the conquest. At Mideltune, 
Richard holds of the saint one carucate of land, three vil- 
lains, and two borders, and two salt-pits, and one sokeman 
of five acres of land. At Herlinge he holds one carucate 
of land, and four villains, and five borders. And the rest 
of the knights follow, and what they held, in like manner. 
And at the end of the account is this note : Memorandum — 
" That the aforesaid Abbot Baldewyne, who lived in the 
time of the holy King Edward, and afterwards in the 
time of King William, the first after the conquest, did 
infeof diverse knights and others for the defence of the 
kingdom, to be performed for the church of St. Edmund 



252 



APPENDIX. 



for ever, of the lands and tenements belonging to the said 
church, as is above expressed, with a hundred carucates of 
land."* And other abbots after him infeoffed many other 
persons afterwards of diverse lands and tenements of the 
church, for the same cause, as elsewhere appears. 

But if Norwich, viz. North Wic, signifies the North 
Castle (as is with good probability conjectured by several 
learned men), then the antiquity of the castle is proved by 
the name of the city ; which was called Northwic in King 
Athelstan's time, and probably long before. 

In the Conqueror's time we come to certain and indis- 
putable accounts of this castle. A castle, and a very strong 
one, there was in Norwich in the beginning of his reign, 
and which Ralph, earl of the East- Angles, had or took 
possession of, when he rebelled against that king, a.d. 1074. 
Probably he had the command of the king's garrison here ; 
for after the king had obtained possession of England, the 
better to keep it, he placed garrisons in the cities and castles, 
and founded so many new castles, that he surpassed therein 
all his predecessors.f 

After he [Ralph] had fled, his countess and knights 
defended the same a good while against the siege of the 
king's army ; till having obtained a good capitulation, they 
surrendered it.J 

About ten years after, the book called Doomsday, or 
the Conqueror's Survey of England, was made, wherein 
we find ninety-eight [mansurce] houses of the city were in 
the occupation of the castle. 

These, it seems, were either pulled down to enlarge the 
outworks, or were occupied by the garrison, or were as- 

• Reg. Pijncebek, f. 181, &c. and Reg. Nigrum, f. 132, &c. 
f Spelm.ex. MS. in Cod. L.L. vet.apud Wilkins Leges Anglo- Sax. 8fc, 
p.p. 285, 290, 292. 
| S. Dunelm, M. Paris, &c. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



253 



signed to be under the jurisdiction of the constable of the 
castle, after the time of King Edward the Confessor. 

A.D. 1087, a confederacy being made by the barons 
against William Rufus, the castle of Norwich was seized 
for a while by Roger Bigot, who grievously spoiled the 
country about.* 

A.D. 1136, Hugh Bigot did the like upon the rumour 
of King Stephen's death; but upon the king's coming 
hither in person, the castle was surrendered to him.f 

The said King Stephen, among other things, gave this 
castle to his son, William, Earl of Moreton, but he was 
dispossessed of it by King Henry the second, a.d. 1155, 
contrary to his agreement.* 

A.D. 1173. King Henry, son of the said Henry the 
second, in his father's life-time king, and rebelling against 
him, promised to Hugh Bigot, amongst other things, to 
keep him in his interest, that he and his heirs for ever 
should have the custody of the castle of Norwich. But 
the old king prevailed, so it took no effect.§ 

A.D. 1216. Lewis, the French king's son, came to 
Norwich, and put a garrison into the castle, which Thomas 
de Burgo, the governor of it, had deserted.^" But Polydore 
Virgil says, "Lewis reduced the castle with no small 
difficulty [non parvo negotio], and that among the prisoners 
taken in it was the said Thomas de Burgo." || 

In the fourth year of Henry the third, a gaol was made 
at Norwich, for the county of Norfolk (in the castle I 
suppose), and at Ipswich [for] Suffolk.** 

In the sixthf f year of King Henry the third, the king 
appointed a baron of the exchequer, and the remem- 

* S. Dunelm, Sax. Ann. 8fc. f M. Paris, $c. 
$ Bromton, W. Newbrig, &c. § Bromton. f M. Paris. 
|| Hist. Angl. ** Claus. 4 Hen. in. m. 15, P. L.N.N, 
ft Query, forty-sixth? 



254 



APPENDIX. 



brancer to account with Philip Marmion, for the charges 
of repairing and victualling the castle of Norwich.* 

And in the forty-sixth year of Henry the third, Hubert 
de Morley and Nich. de Burgo were [tisores] the surveyors 
of the victuals and other things for [muniendum] strengthen- 
ing the castle of Norwich, and engaged for the payment 
of fifty-seven pounds sixteen shillings for things bought 
for that purpose.f 

In the forty-eighth year of Henry the third, the castle 
of Norwich was a prison for some of the state prisoners ; 
for then John de Vallibus, constable thereof, had the 
king's writ to bring with him Gerrard de Furnival, 
Will, de Eylesford, Ralph de Bruton, John Estormy, and 
other prisoners in his or his sub-constable's custody, to be 
exchanged for other prisoners. } Witness the King at 
London, the fourth of June.§ 

In the account of the sheriff of Norfolk, in the second 
of King Edward the first, he gives an account of fifty-five 
pounds which he laid out in the repairs of Norwich castle, 
and ninety pounds for the custody thereof. ^[ 

The same year it was complained of, that William 
Belet had built a castle at Marham, to the prejudice of 
[our] lord the king, and of his castle of Norwich : be- 
cause if war should arise (quod absit), the king's enemies 
might there have a safe retreat [receptaculum], and destroy 
the whole country, and all the ancient religious houses, &c.|| 

Also in the twenty-seventh year of Edward the first, 
certain works were made in the castle of Norwich, in the 

* Collectan. D. Thoroton MS. pt. % p. 18, penes P. L.N.N, 
f Mem. Scaccar. Term. Hillar. 46 Hen. in. P.L.N N. 
\ Pat. 48 Hen. ra. m 12 D. apud Rymer's Feed. v. I, p. 792, P. L.N.N. 
§ See Appendix to Dr. Brady' 's Hist. No. 212. 
1 Coia. Mich. 3 Edw. i. P.L.N N. 
|| Rot. Inquisit. fact, per prcecept. Dom. Regis. Hundr. de Clackhsa in Cur. 
Recept. Scacc. Westm. 3 Edw. i. P. L.N.N. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



255 



time of William de Rothing, sheriff, whereupon a com- 
mission was given to William de Carleton, baron of the 
exchequer, to view those works, and enquire concerning 
the expense of them, and to certify the treasurer and 
barons of the exchequer.* 

In the second year of Edward the first, we find again 
that the castle of Norwich was a prison for state prisoners ; 
for then Patrick de Palesdache, a Scot, Rese, brother of 
Malgon, and Griffin his father, and * * * * son of Rese ap 
Meredick, Welshmen, were prisoners there. And the 
sheriff of Norfolk had the king's writ to allow them the 
arrears of their allowance, due to them in the time of King 
Edward the first, and the same allowances for the future 
out of the issues of his bailiwick.f 

In the fifteenth year of the said King Edward the 
second, the following writ was issued for fortifying the 
castle of Norwich : — 

" Norff. Suff. The king willing for certain causes that 
the castle of Norwich, which is in the custody of the 
sheriff by the king's commission, may be competently 
fortified [munirt], and safely kept, it is commanded the 
sheriff, by the allegiance which he owes the king, that he 
cause the aforesaid castle to be competently fortified with 
victuals and other things necessary and convenient for the 
keeping and fortification thereof, out of the issues of his 
bailiwick, without any delay, lest for defect of fortification, 
or sufficient guarding [custodies], danger might in any 
manner threaten \immineat] the king. And this, as he 
loves himself and his, and as he would avoid the indignation 
and most grievous forfeiture of the king, he must not omit. 
But the reasonable expenses which shall happen to be laid 

* Hill. Commiss. 26 & 27 Edw. i. R . 46, D. Madox, Hist. Ezeheq. p. 590, 
P. L.N.N. 

f Claus. 1 Edw. ii. m. 4, Rymer, v. 3, p. 78, P. L.N.N. 



256 



APPENDIX. 



out by the same sheriff about the fortification aforesaid, 
when the king shall have duly known them, he will cause 
the same to be allowed to the same sheriff in his accompt 
at the exchequer. Also concerning those things which 
the sheriff shall apply to the fortification aforesaid, and of 
the price of them (of all and singular which things, unless 
for necessary cause it should be requisite to apply and ex- 
pend them about the safety \salvationem~\ of the same castle, 
the king will be answered by him), he shall cause the 
treasurer and barons of the exchequer to be certified at 
Westminster, in the Octaves of St. Hilary, distinctly and 
apertly every thing in particular. And must there have 
then this Writ. Teste W. de Norwyco, the twenty-ninth 
of December. Per breve de private- Sigillo directum prce- 
dicto W. tunc Custodi Thesaurarie Regis"* 

Note. — At the same time like commands went to other 
sheriffs, to furnish several castles. 

But in the latter end of the next reign, it appears that 
the castle was very much out of repair,t from this repre- 
sentation of it made to the king by Edmond de Thorpe, 
who, I think, was high sheriff of Norfolk, in the forty-fifth 
year of King Edward the third, viz. : — 

" To our most redoubted lord the king, and to his 
good council, Edmond [Esmon] de Thorpe, sheriff of 
Norff. and Suff., showeth, that whereas our said Lord the 
king hath committed to him, by reason of his office, the 
custody [la garde] of the castle of Norwycz, the which 
castle is so consumed and spoiled in the houses and 
habitations, as well as in the walls, timber, lead, as 

* Mich. Brevia retornab. 15 Edw. n. Rot. 85, 6, apud Madox, 
Hist. Excheq. p. 263. 
f The walls of the city were finished 17 Edward m. ; from which time 
it should appear by this that the defences of the castle had been neglected. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



257 



also in other things, so that no man can dwell in it for 
the safeguard of the castle, nor reside for any other oc- 
casion. Wherefore may it please our said lord the king to 
assign some certain person in whom he can confide, to sur- 
vey the said castle, and the defaults of it ; and moreover, to 
enquire in whose time, and by whom, and by what default, 
the said castle is thus consumed and spoiled, and by whom 
the stones, timber, and lead, and other things of the said 
castle have been broken down, carried and conveyed away, 
so that the said Edmond for his time may bear no other 
blame nor charge than what of reason he ought. And fur- 
ther, according to what he shall find by good and faithful 
inquisition, to ordain what shall please him, about the re- 
dressing and repairing of the same."* 

From these accounts, it is evident beyond contradiction, 
that the castle of Norwich was a royal castle ; and therefore 
the great Mr. Camden, and all others who have related that 
it was built by Hugh Bigot, earl of Norfolk, are mistaken. 
There are, indeed, lions cut in the stone-work of the castle, 
from which, taking them for arms, Mr. Camden, &c. con- 
jectured Bigot to have been the founder. The only lions 
which I have seen there are one on each side of the arch 
of the great entrance, which was on the east side of the 
castle. But these lions are passant regardant, (yet contrary 
ways,) and it does not appear they were designed for arms ; 
but, if they were, they may better be taken to have been for 
an allusion to the king's arms, which anciently were two 
lions only. 

CASTLE-GUARD SERVICES. 
Now I shall give a particular account of the castle- 
guard services before mentioned, which were of old time 
paid to this castle. 

* Transcript, cocev. penes P. L.N.N. s 



258 



APPENDIX. 



Of the castle-guard rents paid by the bishop of Nor- 
wich, take this account of his knights' fees, and in what 
towns the land lay, from the account of the bishop's bailiff 
of his knights' fees, who collected the money of the tenants 
in the tenth of Edward the fourth, from Michaelmas, to 
Michaelmas the eleventh of Edward the fourth. 



Towns. 



Wykmer 

Bernyngham ... 

Eggemere 

Peterstone 

Rengstede 

Blyklyng 

Felbrygge 

Holkham 

Helmyngham ... 

Colkyrke 

Cressyngham . . . 

Southelmham ... 

Mendham 

Wylbey 

Westoftes 

Breydestone 

Southbyrlyngham 

Saxlyngham 



Fees 
and 
Parts. 



Times when due. 







s. 


d. 


1 




r\ 


1 Al \ 






10|j 


\ 


( i f\0 


r\ 








10|j 


If 






8^1 






Oil 


3 
1 




. 0 


0 


1 
2 


r\ , 1 - j j _ 


. 0 


0 


I 




. 0 


0 


\ 


(Dec. 3 


. 0 


10i| 


1 July 1 


. 0 




1 
4 




. 0 


0 


1 


[Oct. 10 


3 


a 


(May 8 


3 


« 


1 




3 


6 


(Aug. 23 


3 


a 


i 


(Oct. 31 


0 


m\ 


1 May 30 


0 


m\ 


H 


(Oct. 21 


4 




(May 19 


4 


!) 


l 




3 




(July 26 


3 


i) 


i 


( Feb. 7 


1 




2 


1 Sep. 5 


1 


11 


1 




0 


0 


5 


[Oct. 30 


17 






( May 28 


17 




i 

2 




0 


0 




[ For the part Plumbelee 




1 


] Oct. 24 


3 


6 . 




( May 22 


3 


6 




f For the part Myles, 






I 


Oct. 22 


0 


10*1 




1 May 20 


0 


10iJ 



£. 


s. 


d. 


0 


1 


9 


0 


1 


9 


0 


11 


^2 


0 


2 


71 


0 


3 


6 


0 


3 


6 


0 


1 


9 


0 


1 


9 


0 


7 


0 


0 


7 


0 


0 


1 


9 


0 


8 


2 


0 


7 


0 


0 


3 


6 


0 


7 


0 


1 


15 


0 


0 


3 


6 


0 


7 


0 


0 


1 


9 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



259 



Towns. 



Langlee 

Baktone (in SufF.) 

Gunton 

Hyndryngham . 

Segeford 



Fees 
and 
Parts 



Ditto 



Strattone 

Martham 

Itryngham cum 
Marsham .... 



Cokethorpe 
Meltone .. 

Norton 

Sny terton . . 
Swanton . . 



Rollesby 



Sum of the Fees 



7 
1 

n 



3 

if 
i 



Times when due. 



[Nov. 23 7 0 

{June 21 7 0 

pec. 8 24 6 

(July 6 24 6 

On the said days 0 0 

J Nov. 20 5 3 

(June 18 5 3 

(For the part of the Prior 

I [ofNorwich]Apr.ll 1 9 

( For the part of Segeford 

j Nov. 24 1 9 

I June 22 1 9 

March 17 0 0 

March 20 0 0 

[Oct. 23 3 6 

(March 21 3 6 

(Oct. 27 0 10| 

(May 25 0 10^ 

March 31 0 0 

/Nov. 21 3 6 

(June 19 3 6 

April 8 0 0 

/Feb. 17 3 6 

(Sep. 15 3 6 

C He received nothing, be- 
\ cause it was in the hands of 
(the Lord [Bishop.] 

Sum of the money received . . 



Total 
Received. 



£. s. 

0 14 

2 9 
0 7 
0 10 



0 1 9 



0 3 



10 

4 



0 7 



1 
13 

7 



6 

9| 
0 

9 

U 
0 



0 10* 
7 0 



0 0 0 



12.14 . 5|* 



All these knights' fees paid at the rate of three shillings 
and sixpence for each fee at the end of every thirty weeks. 
Whereof, as above, were 41 §, which, if all had 

happened twice in the time of the said ac- r £ 1 9 0|- 

count, would have been 7s. each , 

But of them were 9| which happened but once 1 14 6| 
Which being deducted, there remains above £12 14 5| 



Compot. Tho. Herberd Ballivi Feed. Militum Dni. Norwic. a Festo S. Mich. 
10. E. 4, usque idem Festum 11. E. 4. In Thes. Ecc. Cath. Norwic. 

s 2 



260 



APPENDIX. 



I have seen several other accounts of the knights' fees 
of the bishop of Norwich, as of Henry the third or Edward 
the first's time ; and others later, as of Henry the eighth's 
time. But particularly an authentic account of them, 
whereby it appears that the sheriff of Norfolk, in the 
twenty-seventh year of Henry the eighth, was to answer 
fifty-two pounds for ward -money due to the castle of 
Norwich that year, according to the summons out of the 
exchequer ; and that Bishop Rugge was distrained by 
Sir Walter Hobarte, knt., sheriff of Norfolk, for payment 
of seventeen pounds two shillings, part of the said castle- 
guard rents. But he was discharged of them in Michaelmas 
term, the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth, as in reason 
he ought to be, upon his pleading the act of parliament, 
which was made for granting all the ancient lands of his 
bishoprick to the king. 

And there it appears that the bishop had 45J knights' 
fees, which paid him every thirty weeks three shillings and 
six pence for each fee. And that the bishop was used to 
pay yearly to the king, by the hands of the sheriff of Nor- 
folk and Suffolk, seventeen pounds two shillings for the said 
wardings, due to the castle of Norwich.* 

The differences of particulars therein from those before 
mentioned are : — 

Fees More. 

Thorp, Bloffelde, Byghton, Rollesby, 

and Eccles 9^ 

Suff. Hoxone, Bacton, and Batesford 5 

Of these, query if chargeable ? They all were ex-parte 
Regis, but not ex-parte Episcopi, because the bishop had these 
in his own hands. The rest paid him : — 

* Exemplificatio Processus et acquietacionis W. Rugge Episc. Norwic. de red. 
Castrigard. Norwic. fact. 12 Eliz. penes P. L.W.N. 

) 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



261 







Fees More. 


Less. 


C? i.1 1_ 1 




f 








4 




liVOccmrrnQTYi 




3 
4 








3l 
4 










■5 






— 


J. 
4 






4 










1 

$ 








i 






7 
8 
















41* * 


( before men- 
( tioned. 








Knights' Fees. 



So, wants one of 45|, the number there charged, which 
I have examined, and find the particulars no more than 44|. 
Let this suffice here concerning the bishop's knights' fees. 

And all the said castle-guard rent was always charged 
upon the sheriffs on their account in the Pipe-roll — as, 
Hamo Hautein for the ward due to the castle of Norwich 
and Oreford ; Will, de Swyneford for the same.* And the 
total of Norwich castle was fifty-two pounds per annum. 



OF THE CASTLE-GUARD RENTS DUE FROM THE 
ABBEY OF BURY. 

The abbey of Bury was obliged to find a ward of forty 
knights at this castle, till king Stephen, by the following 
charter, released that service : — 

" Stephen, king of the English, to the archbishops, 
bishops, abbots, earls, justices, sheriffs, barons, ministers, 

* Mag. Rot., 56 Hen. in., Norf. et Suff. 



262 



APPENDIX. 



and to all [his] faithful people, French and English, clergy 
and laity of England, greeting. Know all, as well present 
as to come, that I, for the soul of king William, my grand- 
father, and of my uncles, the kings William and Henry, 
and of my father and mother, and my relations, and also 
for the remission of my sins, and of Maud, the queen, my 
wife, and of my brethren and children, have for ever quit- 
claimed to God and to St. Eadmond, and to his church, 
and to the abbot and monks there serving God, the ward 
of forty knights, which they were used to make at my 
castle of Norwich, by four terms in the year, by ten knights 
residing there at each term. And moreover, whatsoever 
[money] the aforesaid church was used to give yearly to 
the [Vigilibus] watchmen of the castle aforesaid for the 
ward of the same castle. And so that they shall make the 
same ward at St. Edmund's [Bury] at the same terms as 
they made at Norwich. And this my acquittance and 
liberty given to the church, and offered by me upon the 
altar before the body of St. Eadmund, I confirm to the 
same church for ever, without any retraction to be ob- 
tained by royal authority ; and do strengthen and corrobo- 
rate by the impression of my present seal, and attestation 
of the barons subscribed. And lest, by any in time to 
come, such and so great a good should by rash presumption 
be attempted to be diminished, or in any manner violated, 
I absolutely prohibit, and by the power given me of God, 
do interdict it. 

" Witness, Maud, the queen, and Alan, earl of 
Britain, and W., earl of War[ren], and William, earl of 
Lyncoln,"* &c. 

This was done about a. d. 1140. And for further 
security, the monks obtained a confirmation from the arch- 
bishop. 

* Reyistrum Sacriste S. Edm. f. 25. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



263 



" Tedbald, by the grace of God, archbishop of Canter- 
bury, to Eurard, by the same grace, bishop of Norwich, 
and to all bishops and barons of England. That donation 
of ward, viz. of xl. knights at the castle of Norwich, which 
king Stephen quitclaimed to St. Edmund, and to abbot 
Anselm, and his successors for ever, &c, I confirm. May 
eternal grace from God come upon the keepers of it ; but 
may the Divine vengeance hang over the violators \impe- 
dientibus] unless they shall repent. Amen."* 

The sum of the knights of St. Edmund of Bury, in 
the twelfth year of king Henry the second, were 52^. But 
the church owes the right of service for only forty knights 
[non debet nisi servicium xl. mil.] And of these, earl Hugh 
retains (and denies the ward of) three knights, in the castle 
of Norwich.f 

It was a little after, I suppose, that the same king 
issued the following writ : — 

" Henry, king of England and duke of Normandy 
and Aquitain, and earl of Anjou, to Hugh, earl of Norfolk, 
greeting. I command you, that for the fee which you 
hold of St. Edmund, you cause fall service to be done at 
my castle of Norwich, as you ought to do it, and as your 
ancestors were used to do in the times of my ancestors. 
And unless you do so, the earl of Leicester shall cause it 
justly to be done, that I may hear no more complaint 
about it for want of right or justice. Witness, Man. Biset, 
at the tower." £ 

I suppose the earl refused to pay the monks"according 
to king Stephen's grant, and therefore they complained of 
him, and procured this writ ; or rather that the said king 
had made void that grant. 



* Regist. Nigrum Vestiarij S. Edm. f. 106. 
f Liber Rub. Scaccarij, 12 Hen. it. \ Regist. Sacrist. S. Edm., f. 27. a. 



264 



APPENDIX. 



There are several lists of the knights' fees of the said 
abbey in the registers ; but the following list being most 
to our present purpose, take it from their register called 
Pyncebeke : — 



THE FEES AND SERVICES OF THE KNIGHTS WHO HOLD OF 
THE HONOUR OF ST. EDMUND, A.D. 1300. 



Roger le Bigot, earl of Norfolk, and Mar- 
shall, holds 3 fees, viz. 

In Brisyngham 

Ferfelde 

Blo-Nortone 



Fees. 



Castle-guard 

rents (due 
from xx weeks 
to xx weeks) 
nihil. 



And pays nothing to the ward of the castle of Norwich. But, 
observe, at the bottom of the page is a note referring to the before- 
recited writ of king Henry the second. 

And folio 150, thus: — Earl Roger holds 2 knights: in Nor- 
ton 1, and in Brisingham and Thersfelde 1. But he pays not 
ward to Norwich, because the abbot pays for him seven shillings 
for the space of xx weeks. 



John de Hastyng, son and heir of Henry de Has- 
tyng, who is steward by fee, holds 5 knights' 
fees, viz. — 

In Lidgate 

Bhmham 

Gissing 

Tybenham 

West Herlyng 

Will. Bukenham holds in Old Bukenham 

Steph., the son of Reginald de Brokedish in 

Brokedish 

Roger, the son of John de How, holds the fees 
of 2 knights, viz. — 

In How 

Toppecroft 

Mikeffeld 

Vggeschale 



Fees. 


*. d. 


!) 


5 6 


1 


2 4 


1 


2 4 


1 


1 6 


l 


1 2 


1 


;? ih il. 


I 


6 0 









NORWICH CASTLE. 



Walter de Cam holds in Kirkebi 

Roger de Thweyt holds in Geldeston 

John Bigot and John de Brampton hold in Stock- 
ton and Kirkebi 

Robert Fitz- Roger holds in Maiieford 

John de Bello Campo holds 1 knight's fee, viz. — 

In Occlee ... .. 

Stustone 

Thurston 

The heir of John de Daggesworth holds in Thran- 

deston 

Gerard de Wachesham, son and heir of Gerard, 
holds 1 knight's fee, viz. — 

In Wroth am 

Marlyngford 

Henry, son and heir of Ralph de Berdewelle, 
holds 2 knights' fees, viz. — 

In Berdewelle 

Hunterstone 

(N.B. in another copy Stanstone) and 

Bernyngham 

Will, de Pakenham holds half a knight's fee, 
which Geffrey de Thorp sometime held in 

Thorp juxta Ixworth 

Also he holds there 1 fee, which Will, le Blund 

and Hen. de Esexe sometime held 

The Lord of Fakenham Magna, formerly Edm d 
Cumyn, after David Cumyn, and afterwards 
Will, le Blund, but now [our] Lord the King, 
by reason of the present war with Scotland, 
holds in Fakenham Magna, and it is called 

Gren s (in another copy Grenegres) 

Barth. de Lyvermer holds in Lyvermere Parva et 

Magna 

The Lord of Ampton holds in Ampton 

Will., the son and heir of Will, de Criketot, holds, 

in Ayshfeld Parva 

John, the son of Will, le Large, holds now, which 
sometime was joined to the said ^ fee in Saxham 



266 



APPENDIX. 



Hugh deVer, Earl of Oxford, holds 5^ fees, and 
pays for each fee 2s. 4d., viz. — 

In Kokefelde 

Ketelberstone 

Lodnes and Brom 

Mendham 

Totstoke 

Sumertone 

Lyvermere Magna 

Rede 

Preston 

Rob. Pecche and Agnes his wife hold, in Brade- 

feld Combusta 

The Prior of the Holy Trinity of Ipswich holds 

in Preston 

The said Earl of Oxford -holds by a new purchase, 
which Hen. de Capeles holds of him in Preston 
— Formerly Adam dellleye held these together 
for 2 fees. 

Peter de Denhardeston holds of the said fee of 
Adam de Illeye, in Illeye Combusta 

Margery de Mose and Richard her son hold in 
Onhous and le Auney. — This Robert del Auney i 
sometime held, and is [parcel] of the Barony, 
formerly of Thomas de Burgo in Cokefelde ... 

Simon de Cokefeld holds, which formerly was 
[parcel] of the said Barony of Cokefelde, in 
Cokefelde 

Hugh de Morieux holds in Falesham, which 
Robert Turgys sometimes held, and is of the 
Barony de Burgo aforesaid 

The Convent of St. Edmund holds of the said 
Barony, in Cokefelde and at Uphalle 

Robert de Lynholt holds in Grotene, and it was of 
the same Barony 

The heir of Thomas, the son of Edmund de II- 
leige and Alice de Brokeley, hold | a knight's fee 
for equal portions, in Stanefield and Manneston 

John de Weylond holds (sometime of Will, de 
Wridwelle), in Welnetham Parva 

Eleanor Hovel holds (which sometime Walter de 
Risebi, formerly Norman, held) in Risbi 



Fees. 


s. 


d. 


1 
4 

1 / 










if 






V 


12 


10 


2l 

1 \ 






I j 






2' 






A 
2 


1 


6 


1 
2 


1 


6 


JL 


1 


6 


i 


1 


6 


1 


0 
0 


u 


1 


1 


3 


i 

2 


1 


6 


1 
4 


0 


9 


1 
4 


0 


9 


i 


I 


6 


1 


1 


6 


h 


1 


6 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



267 



John, the son and heir of Thomas de Helgeye, and 
Nich. de Aula Hospitum and his wife Isabell, 
hold (which sometime Adam de Hornynges 
held) in Hornyngesherthe and West Stowe ... 

Will. Telamache and Cecily his wife hold in Hal- 
lestede ( Robert de Hemestede sometime held it) 

Robert de Norwood holds (which John Alger 
held, sometime Reginald de Brokeleye, form- 
erly Peter de Broceleye) in Brocleye 

Henry, the son of Hen. de Broceleye, holds in 
Brocleye. — Formerly, Alan de Broceleye, and 
afterwards Peter, the son of Alan, held it 

Reginald Pecche holds 3 knights' fees, viz. — 

In Stow Langtot 

Troston 

Walesham and Aysshfelde 

Waltham Parva, in the county of Essex 

The heir of John de Pateshille, viz. a certain 
woman, holds in Watesfelde and in Elmesese 
and Navilton 

Nich. de Leleleye, and John the son and heir of 
Edmund de Whelnetham, hold \ a fee for equal 
portions, in Maneton and Ketelberston 

John, the son and heir of Edm. de Whelnetham, 
holds in Whelnetham Magna 

Dyonisia de Monte Caniso holds (which Hubert 
de Anesty formerly held, and tempore Hen. i., 
Richard de Anesty, and it is called Briddinghoo) 
in Brakestede Magna 

The heir of Eve the son of Richard Ledet, holds 
two parts of a knight's fee, divided into three 
parts, in Alba Rothingg. — This Richard de 
Herwe sometime held 

Thomas, the son of Tho. de Esex, holds in 
Chippelee. — This was sometime of Will. Here- 
lawe and John Balistar, and after of Thomas 
le Arblaster 

John de Sancto Claro holds in Bradefeld Seyn- 
cler and Watlisfelde 

Thomas, the son and heir of John de Ikkeworth, 
holds in lkworth, Waunford, Hornyngsherthe, 
and Flempton. — Formerly Simon de lkworth 
held them ; and, 8 Ric. i., Richard de Icworthe 



Fees. 


s. d. 




1 6 


1 


3 0 


1 


3 0 


1 


3 0 


11 










9 0 


.'1 






1 

2 


1 6 


1 

2 


1 6 


1 

2" 


1 6 


1 


1 6 


I 


2 0 


1 


nihil. 


2 


6 0 


2 


6 0 



268 



APPENDIX. 



! Fees. 



Adam de Geddyng, Will., the heir of Giles de 
Neketon, and Matthew de Thelnyngham, held 
3 knights' fees, which Ralph de Saxham, for- 
merly (8 Ric. i.) Gilbert the son of Ralph, held 
undivided, whereof now the said Adam holds in 
Saxham Parva 

Will., the heir of the said Giles, holds in Heppe- 
worthe 

And M. de Thelnetham holds in Thelnetham, 
Reydon, Beraynham, Hojipetone, and Gnates- 
hale 

Robert Fitzewalter holds in Waude, hi the comity 
of Essex. — This Will, de Waude now holds 
of him ; formerly, James de Waude held it ... 

Thomas de Wridewelle holds in Wridewelle and 
Lyvemiere Parva. — Formerly was of Will, de 
Wridewelle.* , 



3 0 
1 6 

4 6 
3 0 
0 9 



KNIGHTS' FEES OF THE ABBEY OF BURY, WHICH PAY NOTHING 
TO THE WARD OF THE CASTLE OF NORWICH. 

Fees. 



In Brissingham .. 

Ferfelde 

Bio-Norton .. 

Brodish 

Marleford 

Bernyngham 

Chippelee 

Falesham 

Culeford 

West Leveton 



Fees which do not pay . . . 

Fees which pay, besides 
the \ fee of Wridewell, 
which remains in [ca- 
lumpnia] dispute 

Fees in all (a.d. 1300) ... 



But of these, see before. 

John de S, Clare holds it. 

I Gilbert Pecche held these; but 
now the king holds them. And, 
8 Ric. i., Gilbert held the ser- 
vice of 2 knights of his fee in 
Drencheston, Falesham, Neu- 
ton, Oimeston, Cullbrd, Her- 
leston, Dordewelle, £v Waude. 
And in the Chronicle of Jos- 
celine, the chaplain of Abbot 
Sampson, thus : — Gilbert 
Pecche holds 2 kirghts, viz. 
in Waude, 1 knight; in Fales- 
ham, Euston, and in Grotene, 

y 1 knight. 



Calumpniatur quia Abbas yiihil inde percipit. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



269 



The sum of the whole ward, which is gathered five 
times within two years, thirty-three pounds three shillings 
and four pence, (the heir of Wrydewelle excepted) because 
it is always collected at the end of every twenty weeks. 

Sum total of the payment by the hands of the bailiff 
of the fees to the sheriff for the ward of Norwich castle 
within two years, forty marks and a half. 

And so there remains in the bailiff's purse, in allow- 
ance of his fee and for his labour, sixjpounds three shillings 
and four pence, within two years. 

N.B. And, besides, the abbot paid for the Duke of 
Norfolk as before mentioned* 

Hence it appears, that, notwithstanding King Stephen's 
grant, the castle-guard rents were still paid to the^sheriff, 
and so it continued after the reformation. 

Take also this note from the Pyncebeke Eegister : — 

BLACKBURN HUNDRED, SUFFOLK, 14 EDW. I. 

"Elmeswell. — The abbot of St. Edmund is capital 
lord, &c, and holds it of the king in capite of (or being 
part of) his barony by the service of forty knights' fees for 
Elmeswelle, and all his manors which he holds of [our] 
lord the king, and to the ward of Norwich, ten marks 
sterling per annum for himself, and for all his tenants 
underwritten, which there follow in Hildercle, Conegeston, 
Eikynghale, Hopeton, Coleford, Bernham, Hunegheton, 
Sapeston, &c." 

And in like manner it is noted under Brokeforth, in 
Hertesmere hundred, "Abbas de Baronia sua reddit ad om- 
nia negocia Domini Regis XL. milites pro tempore faciend." 

And observe hence, that although by agreement with the 
king, the abbot was to answer to him only with the service 
* JRegist. Pyncebeke, f. 116-122. 



270 



APPENDIX. 



of forty knights' fees, for his whole barony or for all the 
manors and lands of the abbey, yet (besides all those manors 
which the abbot kept in his own hands) the lands which 
he granted out were estimated by him at fifty-three knights' 
fees, and the service of so many was to be answered to the 
abbot by the persons who held them, as above is par- 
ticularized. 

And the like increase of knights' fees was made by 
other great men, who held lands of the king, upon their 
granting them out to others to be held of them. And like- 
wise by those other under-tenants who re-granted parcels 
to be held of them, &c, as is evident from a number of 
ancient records relating to the knights' fees in several parts 
of England ; whence it follows, that all knights' fees consisted 
not each of them of the same determinate n amber of acres 
of land, nor of so much land, neither as was of the same cer- 
tain and fixed yearly value of rent. 

Which will be still plainer, from these Notes out of the 
Pyncebeke Register :* — 

HERTSMERE HUNDRED. 

" In Wortham — Gerard de Wachesham holds of the 
abbot one messuage, ninety-nine acres of land, three acres 
of meadow, and five acres of pasture, by the service of one- 
quarter of a knight's fee : and the abbot of the king in 
capite. 

" Oclee. — Sir Roger de Bellocampo holds the town of 
the abbot for half a knight's fee : and the abbot of the king 
in capite. 

" Stuston, and all the tenants of Estgate in Stuston be- 
long to Aclee ; and R. de Bellocampo holds a &c. of the 
abbot, by the service of three-parts of a knight's fee : and 
the abbot of the king in capite" 

* De Itinere Salom. de Roff. et Sociorum 14 Edw. i. incipient. 15, in Com. Suff. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



271 



Concerning these last two articles, I find in another 
place of the said Register, that in the Conqueror's time the 
abbot had in Aclea, eleven freemen of one carucate of land 
and five borders. Also, that in Aclea and Stuston he had 
sixteen freemen of one carucate, and five [aliter fifty\ acres 
and twelve borders. 

But to proceed with some further notes, from the ac- 
count of the fourteenth of Edward the first. 

(e Brockele. J. Algar holds of the abbot one messuage, 
two hundred and eighty acres of land, one mill, &c, by the 
service of one knight's fee, three shillings, &c. 

" Henry, the son of Henry, holds one messuage, eighty 
acres of land, &c, by the sevice of half a fee, one shilling 
and eight-pence, &c. 

" William Talmache, one messuage, one hundred and 
forty-seven acres of land, &c, for half a fee, one shilling 
and four pence. 

" Saxham Parva. — Adam de Geddyng holds one 
hundred and sixty-seven acres of land, &c. of the abbot 
for half a fee ; and to the ward of Norwich castle, at the 
end of twenty weeks, two shillings and four pence. 

BLACKBURN HUNDRED. 

" Walsham. — Rob. de Waleynes is capital lord by 
his portion \_portione sua] of the barony de Blound, and 
holds one messuage in the same town, three carucates and 
a half, and fifty-two acres of land, &c. of [our] lord the 
king in capite by the service of three knights' fees and 
three quarters. And to the ward of Norwich, sixteen 
shillings and eight pence yearly, &c." 

This last article, it seems, did not belong to the abbot. 

How these knights' fees were sub-divided, take this 
instance : — 



272 



APPENDIX. 



" In Palegrave. — Will. Chamberleyn holds one mes- 
suage and two and a half acres of land, of Hugh de Beufu, 
by the service of twelve pence ; and to the ward of Nor- 
wich castle one penny farthing. And the said Hugh of 
Roger de Beuchaumpe, and the said Roger of the abbot 
of St. Edmund, and the abbot of the king in capite." 

However, I think it also convenient to insert a note 
or two out of the original return or certificate, made into 
the king's exchequer, the fourteenth year of Henry the 
second, by the Bishop of Chichester, of the knights' fees 
belonging to his church, which seems (contrary to what 
I have before observed) to import, that a knight's fee con- 
sisted then of some common, known, and determinate 
quantity of land. 

" Jordan de Isleham, Alveredus, and eight other persons 
named, hold one fee of a knight et superest dimid. virgata, 
and there is one yard [of] land over." 

And after having particularized the persons who held 
eight fees and a half more, it concludes thus : — 

" These are nine fees of knights and a half; and there 
is a ninth part of a knight over, which John de Brada 
holds ; and these are of the ancient feoffment. ' But of the 
new feoffment, Robert de Dent holds half a fee of a knight 
[dimid. hida minus] wanting half a hide. 

" In Bixla are ten hides, which the Bishop of Chichester 
anciently held in his demesne, but the Earl of Augens or 
Ewe, taking that land from the bishop and church, infeoffed 
therewith four knights. The bishop and church recovered 
of that land five hides in demesne ; and two knights hold 
the other five hides of the bishop for two fees."* 

But again, under the title of Lincolnshire, the charter 
or certificate of Lambert Scotennus mentions, that he held 



Ex transcript, penes P. L. N. N. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



273 



of the king sixteen carucates of land and two [Bovatas] 
oxgangs, by the service of ten knights. In these carucates 
I have five knights infeoffed of ancient time ; and of the 
demesne I owe you the service of five knights, and of that 
demesne I have given to Rob. de Portmore the third part 
of a knight's fee.* 



[OF THE CASTLE-GUARD SERVICES FROM ELY.] 

The lands belonging to the monastery of Ely were 
also subject to the service of castle-guard at the castle of 
Norwich. 

William the Conqueror commanded Simeon, abbot of 
Ely, to maintain a [presidium] garrison of forty knights in 
Ely. And William Rufus commanded the number of the 
garrison in Ely to be doubled.f 

Whether that was the number of the knights to do 
service also at Norwich castle then, I am not sufficiently 
informed to assert ; but some the abbot was obliged to find 
here, for exemption from which service he obtained a writ 
from the said King William the second, (between a.d. 1080 
and 1089). 

" William, king of the English, to Lanfranc the arch- 
bishop, and Gosfride, bishop of Coustance, and Robert, 
earl of Moritone, greeting. Forbid that Remigius the 
bishop [of Lincoln] require any new customs within the 
isle of Heli, &c. Of the custody of Northuic, let Symeon 
the abbot be free, but let him cause his [municionem] ar- 
mour {query guard or garrison ?) to be carried thither and 
kept, &c"t 

* Liber Ruhr. Scaccar. 
f Leland, Coll. v. 1, p. 860, ex Histor. Eliens. Vita Simeonis. 
} Dr. Brady's Append, p. 5, No. 8, ex Hist. Eliens. penes Dr. Gale, p. 94. 

T 



274 



APPENDIX. 



However, this was only an exemption for a time, be- 
cause when King Henry the first made Hervasus bishop of 
Ely, he found that church onerated with the said service, 
and for a good sum of money he procured that Mng's 
charter of release from it. 

a Henry, King, &c. I will that the bishop, church, 
and monks of Ely shall be for ever quit of the ward of 
knights which they were used to make in my castle of 
Norwich, and from those twenty-five shillings and five-pence 
half-penny, which they gave every year to my watchman 
of the same castle [de liberacione sua] for his livery, and 
from all those services and works, and things whatsoever, 
which they were used to perform to the said castle for the 
bishoprick of Ely. Witness, Roger, bishop of Salisbury ; 
Alexander, bishop of Lincoln ; William, earl of Warren ; 
Hugh Bigot, &c. Given at Windresores."* 

The said king, by other charters, acquitted them of 
forty shillings de wardepeny, and pardoned their scutage 
(or tax of knights' fees) from one hundred pounds to forty 
pounds. 

These exemptions are also in the charters of King 
Richard the first, to the church of Ely : — 

" Richard, by the grace of God, king, &c. We have 
granted, &c. to God and to the church of St. JEthelred, 
and to William, [bishop] elect of Ely, and to the monks 
there serving God, &c, and let the same church be free 
from the ward of knights in our castle of Norwich, so that 
the knights of the honour of St. iEtheldred, who used to 
perform ward in the aforesaid castle, may do it in Ely, at 
the summons of the bishop of Ely. Also let the same 
church be acquitted of the twenty-five shillings and five- 
pence half-penny which were given to the watchman of 
* Hist. Ehens. prcecUct. f. 114. 



NORWICH CASTLE, 



275 



the same castle yearly (de liberacione sua) for his livery, 
out of the land of St. iEtheldred. And let it be acquitted 
of the forty shillings of wardepeny which were required of 
their land and their tenants." 

This charter is dated at Westminster, the tenth of 
October, in the first year of his reign. But because the 
king lost his seal when he was taken prisoner in Germany, 
he granted another charter under his new seal, dated " apud 
Rupem Andeliati," the first day of July, the ninth year of 
his reign.* 

The sum of the knights of Suffolk {query Norfolk and 
Suffolk ?) belonging to the bishop of Ely, were twenty-eight 
and a-half and seven parts of a knight. How many in the 
whole did belong to him, and the particulars of them, we 
find in the Red Book of the exchequer, as follows : — 

CANTEBRIGGESCIRE. — THE CHARTER OF NIGELLUS, 
BISHOP OF ELY. 

" To his venerable lord Henry, by the grace of God, 
the illustrious king of England, Nigellus, bishop of Ely, 
greeting. According to your commandment we have caused 
to be diligently enquired the services of our knights ; and 
their names and number underwritten, as well of the 
ancient as of the new feoffment, we transmit to you. 

In Cantehrigge [scire] there are of the ancient feoffment — 
Hamo [Peccatum] Pecche, three knights of the fee of 

Roger Peverell. 
Hugh de Doura, three knights of the fee of the same 
R. Peverell. 

Eborardus de Middleton 2 knights 

Hen. Picot ., 1 



* Regist. Sacriste S. Edmundi [Bury] f. 142. 

t2 



276 



APPENDIX. 



Stephen and Hen. de Scalar 1 knight 

Eustace de Manerio 2 

Robt. Foliot 1 

Will. Muschet 1 

Humf. the son of Geoffrey 1 

Tor old de Hangeton 1 

Will. [Dispensator] le Dispenser [4 p.] the fourth part 

of a knight ; (but query if not four -fifths of a fee, as 

I have elsewhere found it to express.) 

And of the new feoffment of our demesne — 

Paganus de Heringford 1 knight 

Petrus [Pincerna] le Boteler J .... 

Ralph the son of Richard 1 

Adam the son of Adam J .... 

Of the purpresture of the marsh, which was never before 
made profit of- — 

Reignald de Niwetone J knight 

Walter de Panpeworth 1 

Jordan de Samford 1 

And in Norfolk of the ancient feoffment — 

Will, de Beskewell J knight 

Steph. de Marisco J .... 

Hen. de Raia S 

The son of Hubert de Munchanesi 1 

Will, the son of Generan 1 

And of the new feoffment — 

Ralph Dapifer 1 knight 

Earl Hugh 6 .... 

(for which he hath never done service.) 

In Suthfolk of the ancient feoffment — 

Rob. de Cokfield 1 knight 



NORWICH CASTLE. 277 

Fulk. de Trussell .1 knight 

Hamo [Peccatum] Pecche 3 

Geffrey de Drenchston 1 

Alan the son of Frodo 1 

Luke de Debeham 2 

Will, de Norewic 1 

EalphPirot 2 .... 

Rich, the son of Osbert 1 

Rob. the son of Hugh 2 

Hen. de Glanvill 1 

Gilb. the son of Frodo 1 

Of the fee of Roland the son of Isaac J .... 

The Earl of Clare 2 

And of the new feoffment— 

Ralph Dapifer 2 knights in Cambriggescire 

In Hertfordscire of the ancient feoffment — 

Rog. de Valonijs... \ knight 

Asbertus [AngL] English 1 

Simon the son of Adam 1 

In Essex of the ancient feoffment- — 

Ralph de Bermers 2 knights 

Will. [Peregrinus] le Estrange 1 

Reignauld de Faubrigge 1 

Luke de Tirlinge ,. 1 

Simon de Roinges 2 



But Earl Alberic hath his service [de novo] lately. 
Luke de Berkeshened and Ranulph de Haia, one knight 

of the fee of Richard de Salconill 
Will, de Hanlege, one knight of the same fee, but it is 

in Sutfolke. 



278 



APPENDIX. 



And of the new feoffment — 

Earl Alberic 2 knights 

Of these we are certain. And if we can inquire farther, 
we shall willingly signify to you. Farewell." 

The following is a later and more particular account 
of the knights' fees belonging to the said church, showing 
in what towns the lands lay. 

" Inquisitions, twelfth and thirteenth of King John. 
Cantebrige and Huntingdon [shires]. 

KNIGHTS HOLDING OF THE BISHOPRICK OF ELY. 
Will, de Scalarijs, one and a-half knight, in Selford, 

Wrotinge, and Belesham. 
Hugh de Scalarijs, one and a-half knight, in Waddon, 

Overe, and Swafham. 
Rob. de Insula, one knight, in Faniton and Cotenhani, 

and [4ta] one-quarter in Westwik, which he holds 

in farm. 

Gilbert Peche, four knights and a-quarter, in Rainton, 
Herleston, Madingley, Lellewarth, Cotenhani, and 
Dainton 

Hen. de Essex [4ta] one-quarter, in Ordewik. 

Will. Macherut, one knight, in Ditton. 

Eustace de Eya, half a knight, in Eye. 

Robert, the son of Walter, two knights, in Westleg, 

Sulburne, and Toueresham. 
Tho. de Sanford, half a knight, in Starleg. 
Gilbert Aucunechose and Rob. Leir, one-quarter [in] 

Winelingebert. 
Geffrey de Trely, one knight, in Meldeburne. 
Rob. Picot, one knight, in Cucye. 
Walter de Ely, one knight, in Pampesworthe. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



279 



Peter de Beche, three knights, in Middilton. 
Will, the son of Simon, half a knight, in Stapilford. 
Simon de Insula, one knight, [in Instda] in the Isle. 
Richard de Cawell, one knight, in Cawell and Hetfelde. 

IN ESSEX. 

Earl Alberic, four knights in Roinges. 
Walter de Famburg, one knight, in Fambrige. 
Ralph Gernun, one knight, in Brokesfed. 
Ralph de Berners, two knights, in Strethale. 
Hen. Pelerin, one knight, in Gatemere. 
The Earl of Clare, half a knight, in Brokefeld. 
Will, de Haia, half a knight, in Ratendon. 

IN HERTFORDE. 
Rob. the son of Walter, half a knight, in Hetfeud. 
Will, the son of Simon, half a knight, in Hetfeld. 
John Bassingburne, one knight, in Hetfeld (which 

Henry de Alneto held). 
John [Pincerna], or Butler of Chaterei, a quarter [of 

a knight], in Catering. 
Aimerus de Baschvill, half a knight. 
Rob. de Hulme, one knight. 

HUNTINGDON. 

Simon de Insula [6 p.] one-sixth part, in Elme. 
Richard de Argentein, one knight, in Somersham. 
Joceline de Walepole [12 p.], one-twelfth part in Wis- 

beche, and a half in Walepole. 
Steph. de Mariscis, one knight, in Walesuchne. 
Eborard de Vernone [6 p.], one-sixth part, in Elme. 
Will, de Reinham [3 p.], one-third part, in Chlenswarton. 
Will, de Nuncamp [12 p.], one-twelfth part in Wisbeche. 
Reignald de Mariscis, half a knight, in Elme. 
Adam de Brokne, one knight, in Brokne. 



280 



APPENDIX. 



Rich, de Milkham [4ta], one-quarter in Wisbeche and 
Elme. 

Rich, de Litlebur [8], one-eighth, in Wisbech. 

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK. 
Will. Mallett, one knight, in Fineberge. 
Thomas de Arderne, one knight there. 
Robert de Insula, two knights in Nedding. 
Wido de Derdun [query, Verdun ?], half a knight, in 
Hecham. 

Osbert de Wacesham, one knight, in Wacesham. 
Hubert Thermod [4tam], one-quarter in Suffolke. 
Hugh de Aubervill, six knights, of which Will. Malet 

and Tho. Arderne hold, and the lady Petronilla half 

a knight in Berkinge. 
Henry de Hulveston, two knights in the liberty of 

Wederingesete. 
Wiscard Ledet, half a knight in Branuden and La- 

kingvede. 

J ohn Marscall, two knights in Okeinge, and wie knight 

in Filneton, near Pulchenam. 
Geffrey de Haumbli [4 p.], a quarter, in Herurst. 
John de Katena [4 ptem.], a quarter."* 



OF THE CASTLE-GUARD RENTS OR SERVICES WHICH WERE 
PAID BY THE ABBEY OF ST. BENET'S IN THE HULM. 

The lands of that abbey were anciently thus charge- 
able, as appears from this writ (for confirmation of discharge) 
of King Henry the first, as I take it, which is in the register 
of Hulm, in the Cotton library : — 



* Lib. Rub. Scaccarij. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 281 

" Henry, king of England, to Robert Fitz-walter and 
Ralph Passelewe, greeting. Cause ye the land, and mea- 
dows, and [annonam] corn, of the abbot of Holme to be in 
peace from the wardings of the castle of Norwich, and 
namely, that of Hecham. And let him hold [omnia sua] all 
the things thereof in peace. Witness, Eborard, the son of 
the earl, at Wodestoke." 

King Edward the Confessor, by his charter to the said 
monastery of St. Bennet, " to have sache and socne, &c 3 
and haverpeny and wardpeny, &c." 

King Stephen granted the same ; and that all the lands 
and possessions of that monastery should be free from all 
secular service.* 

Henry the second, the like.f 

And I find no other mention of the lands of St. Bennet 
having been charged to castle-guard service but in that 
writ concerning Heigham ; so that they were very early 
discharged of it. 

And as to the grant of wardpeni, I find the abbey of 
Bury had several small yearly payments out of their tene- 
ments, under the name of warpeni.* 

The knights' fees belonging to this abbey, the four- 
teenth of Henry the second, appear from the following 
certificate, then made : — 

THE CHARTER OF THE ABBOT OF HXJLM. 
" To his most dear lord Henry, the illustrious king of 
England, William, by the grace of God, called abbot of 
Hulm, greeting, &c. and faithful service. These are the 
knights of our church of ancient feoffment : — 



* Reg. Hulm. Bib. Cotton Galba, E. 2. Ex transcript, f. 2 a, F. L.N.N, 
f lb. f. 3, a. \ Reg. Sacr. Bury. 

t 



282 



APPENDIX. 



Will, de Caletorp hath a knight's fee. 

Rich, de Harstested [Irstede, I suppose] a knight's fee. 

In the same town, Barth. de Glanvil holds [S pm.] a 

third part of a knight's fee. 
In the town of Hanigg, Walter de Willington, the half 

of a knight. 

Stephen, [5 pm.] the fifth part of a knight in Redham. 
Will, de Stalham, [5 pm.] the fifth part of a knight in 

Beseton and in Stalham." 
Of a new feoffment after the death of king Henry [the 
first] we have none.* 



[KNIGHTS' FEES OF THE ABBEY OF HULM.] 

The following is a list of the knights' fees of the said 
abbey, as it is contained, inter alia, in the account of 
Nicholas de Castello and others, collectors of the aid of 
forty shillings of every knight's fee in the county of Nor- 
folk, granted to [our] lord the king, to make his eldest son 
a knight, in the second year of king Edward the third, 
a.d. 1345.f 

IN THE HUNDRED OF TUNSTED. 

The prior of Norwich, the prior of Pentney, the prior 
of Bromeholm, and the prior of Fakenham, tenants of the 
lands in Wurstede, which were of Robert de Mateby, 
and other tenants of the lands which were of Robert de 
Wursted, held in the same town, Dilham, Northwalsham, 
Skoruston, and Barton, one knight's fee of the abbot 

* Liber. Rub. Scacc. 
■f A plain mistake of the date ; in the second year of Edward the 
third he had no son ; 1345 was the nineteenth of Edward the third — Anth. 
Nor r is. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



283 



of St. Bennet of the Hulm, and the abbot of the king; 
which sometime were of Reginald, the son of Philip, forty- 
shillings. 

John de Leeme and his coparceners [percenarij sui] 
hold in Beeston and Barton, the tenth part of a knight's 
fee of the aforesaid abbot, and the abbot of the king, which 
John de Leem and their ancestors sometime held, four 
shillings. 

The said abbot holds in Beston and Barton the tenth 
part of a knight's fee of the king, which John de Cocklield 
sometime held, four shillings. 

Margaret, which was the wife of John de Gymming- 
ham, with her tenants, John, the son of Hugh Wisse, and 
other tenants, and purchasers of the tenements which were 
of Thomas Pecche in Honing, Wytton, Crostweit and 
Ricllington, Walcot and Happisburgh, hold half a knight's 
fee of the aforesaid abbot, and the abbot of the king, which 
John de Gymmingham sometime held, twenty shillings. 

The said abbot holds by [his] barony the manors of 
Horning, Hoveton St. John, Netesherd, and North Wals- 
ham, of the king for two and a half knights' fees, with 
his other tenements in demesne, one hundred shillings. 

HUNDRED OF HAPPING. 

The said abbot holds his manors of Ludham, Potter- 
Heigham, and Catfield, with their appurtenances, as parcel 
of his barony, for undivided of the king in capite by the 
service of two and a half knights' fees, one hundred 
shillings. 

HUNDRED OF WEST FLEGG. 
The said abbot holds his manors of Ashbie and Thurne 
of the king in capite, belonging to his barony, which he 
holds of the king by the service of two and a half knights' 



284 



APPENDIX. 



fees, as is above contained, in the Hundred of Tunsted, one 
hundred shillings. 

HUNDRED OF WALSHAM. 
The said abbot holds the manor of Bastwick to himself 
with his other tenements of his barony of the king in capite; 
by how many fees is not known, and it is answered in the 
Hundred of Tunsted. 

HUNDRED OF DEPWADE. 

The said abbot holds in Tibenham a manor of the king 
in capite ; by what service is not known. 

Sir Laurence de Hastings holds in Tibenham half a 
knight's fee of the said abbot, and he of the king, which 
John de Hastings sometime held, twenty shillings. 

Memorandum. — At Easter term, the seventh of king 
James, I found, saith A. Harrison, these tenures and 
others ; whereby it appears, that the Bishop of Norwich 
holds his now bishoprick (which, in the second of Edward 
the third, was an abbacy) in capite by divers knights' fees. 

The bishop compounded for all the lands of the 
bishoprick for the aid to make Prince Henry, eldest son 
of king James, a knight, for twenty pounds [a.d. 1609.] 

Further, it appears in the memorandums of the ex- 
chequer* 

Tho. Reede holds the manor of Boysez with its appur- 
tenances in Rollesbye, of John, abbot of St. Bennet of the 
Hulm, by fealty and the rent of forty-two shillings per 
annum. And the same abbot holds that manor of [our] 
lord the king by fealty and eight shillings of yearly rent, 
and suit of turn in the Hundred of West Flegg twice in 
the year.f 

* Term. Trin., 9 Hen. vih., Rot. 14, ex parte Rem, 
f Liber Anth. Harrison, MS. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



285 



These were the knights' fees of the said abbey ; but 
which, how many, or whether all used to pay castle-guard 
rent to Norwich castle, I shall not assert till further 
informed. 

But note — in the bishop's pleading, the thirtieth of 
Henry the eighth, to get discharged of the castle-guard 
rents for the old lands of the bishoprick, he alleged also, 
that he held then no lordships, manors, lands, &c, charge- 
able to the ward of the said castle ; so that it should seem, 
the lands late of St. Bennet's abbey, which the bishop then 
held, (instead of the ancient lands of the bishoprick) were 
not chargeable with that service. 



[OF OTHER SERVICES DUE TO THE CASTLE OF NORWICH] 
Besides all these before-mentioned, the lands of some 
other men were also chargeable with this service, as ap- 
pears from the following charter or certificate, made the 
fourteenth of Henry the second, viz. — 

The Charter of Roger de Keneteswell [of Suffolk.] 

" To his most excellent lord Henry, the illustrious 
king of England, duke of Normandy and Aquitain, earl of 
Anjou, greeting and faithful service. [Sciatis] Know ye 
that I owe to you the service of ten knights, [whereof] five 
are of ancient feoffment. 

Earl Alberic holds of me the fee of one knight. 
Will, de Chaisneto [de Noric] of Norwich, the fee of 
one knight. 

Geffrey, the son of Baldewin, the fee of one knight. 
But that is seised into your hand, and nevertheless 
they make me perform full service for it to the 
ward [de Noric] of Norwich. 



286 



APPENDIX. 



And Philip de Burgo holds of me the fee of one knight 
And Joceline de Lodnes holds of me the fee of one 
knight. 

And I owe to you for my demesne the service of five 
knights."* 

I judge therefore that all the knights' fees of E. de 
Keneteswell were obliged to the castle-guard service of 
Norwich. 



MORE OF CASTLE-GUAPJ3 RENTS. 

Matthew de Porta, of Ipswich, granted to the prior 
and convent of Norwich three and a half acres of land, 
which lie held of Eobert. the son of TT alter, the merchant, 
in the town of Henle [in Suffolk], paying to the seutage of 
twenty shillings, when it happens, fourpence, and to the 
ward of Norwich one penny. f 

Rog., the son of John de Keteryngham, the twenty- 
ninth of Edward the first, quit-claimed to Tho. de Begheton 
and his heirs, all his right in one halfpenny of castle-guard 
rent, which the same Tho. used to pay always when the 
said rent happened due for a piece of land in Heneley 
aforesaid.* 

Will. Bardolf holds of the king in capite thirty acres 
of land in Tylney, as a member of Wyrmgey. by the ser- 
vice of paying seven shillings in every month of the year 
to the ward of Norwich castle, and by the service of half 
a mark yearly to the same castle. § 

In the account of the collector of the rents and farms 
of the manors, &c, late of Hugh att Ferine, in Haryngby, 

* Lib. Rub. Scaccarij. 
f About a.d. 1250. \ Regist. Sacrist. Eccl Norwic, f. 19, 34. 
§Atmo 4 Edw. i. P. L.N.N. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



287 



Tunsted, &c, the first of Henry the seventh, I find there 
was then paid to the manor of Overhalle, in Hekelyn, two 
shillings and seven pence, whereof for castle-guard two 
pence.* 

(But, query if this was for Norwich castle, or for the 
castle of Eye ?) 

Koger le Gros held of John le Porter, of Wodenorton, 
the sixteenth part of a knight's fee in Hemstede, by the 
knight's service, viz. by the sixteenth part of a fee and 
two pence three farthings to the ward of Norwich castle, 
at the end of thirty weeks.f 

In the account of the manor of Whetacre, the twelfth 
of Edward the third : — 

Paid castle-guard in part payment, two shillings and 
sixpence. 

Item in gift to Jno. Gerard, bailiff itinerant of the 
castle of Norwich, four bushels of wheat, by command of 
the lady, viz. the Lady Mawd Baynard. 

The manor of Hanworth, belonging to one of the 
daughters and heirs of Tho. de Brotherton, earl of Nor- 
folk, was held in capite by the service of twenty-five 
shillings per annum, to the ward of the castle of Norwich.* 

Also to the list of the knights' fees lately belonging to 
the Bishop of Norwich and to the abbey of Bury, made in 
Henry the eighth's time, after the dissolution of monasteries, 
there are added several other knights' fees, which were 
held of the castle of Norwich, as follow, viz. — 

(And there are certain lands in Feningham (in another 
account Felmingham) [held] by half a knight's fee [and 
pay] one shilling and sixpence.) 

* Archiv. Eccl. Norwic. 
f Placita de Juratis et Assis. coram Sol. Roff., tyc. 14 Edw. I. 
| Eschaet 35 Edw. in., secunda pars. 



288 APPENDIX. 

Robert Garnishe and Richard Yaxley hold their lands 
by knights' service, and pay * * * * 

Walter Hubbert holds his land in Gillingham by a 
quarter of a knight's fee, ninepence. 

Robert Wingfeeld holds the manor of Herpole [alias 
Harepoole] by the service of half a knight's fee [alias of 
one fee] and pays to the ward of the castle of Norwich 
from thirty weeks to thirty weeks, one shilling and six 
pence. 

Two knights' fees issuing out of the manor of Benhall, 
and pay, &c, three shillings and fourpence. 

One knight's fee issuing out of the manor of Buck- 
lington, and pay, &c, one shilling and sixpence. 

The manor of Bliboroughe is held by knights' service, 
and pays, &c, tenpence [alias one shilling and sixpence.] 

Tho. Folstocke holds the manor of Winghall [alias 
Winghill], and pays, &c, six shillings and eightpence. 

Will. Jenny holds the manor of Derham by a quarter 
of a knight's fee, and pays, &c, ninepence. 

Anthony Rowse holds one knight's fee, issuing out 
of certain lands of his in Boxfield [alias Laxfield], and 
pays, &c, three shillings. 

John Wingfield and John Layston hold one knight's 
fee in Badingham, three shillings. 

Certain lands in Campston pay, &c., threepence. 

Francis Calthorpe holds two knights' fees issuing out 
of Waybridge [Waybrede] and Wethersdale, six shillings. 

The castle-guard for one knight's fee issuing out of 
Downingworth, three shillings. 

Anthony Wingfield holds a quarter of a knight's fee in 
Laxfield, tenpence. 

John Jerningham holds half a knight's fee in Homham 
[alias Horeham], tenpence. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



289 



Master ■ Knevet holds a quarter of a knight's fee 

in Stradbroke, tenpenee. 

Anthony Wingfield holds half a knight's fee in Cats- 
ham [alias Shatsham] and Bawdsey, tenpenee. 

Two knights' fees issuing out of lands in Dallinghoo, 
one shilling and sixpence. 

And there are other lands in Bawsey, Alderton, in 
Belforde, and in Thorneham, which are held by knights' 
service, and pay, &c, eight shillings. 

And there is half a knight's fee in Bacton [alias Buck- 
ton] in the tenure of John Albaster, and pays, &c, one 
shilling and sixpence. 

John Topfield holds half a knight's fee, issuing out of 
certain lands in Bacton, one shilling and sixpence. 

The manor of Cattesham [alias Shattesham] pays, &c, 
tenpenee. 

And moreover, there are in the bailiwick of Berne, 
and in the bailiwick of Thurg, in the bailiwick of Parker, 
in the bailiwick of Strange, in the bailiwick of Vaux, and 
in the bailiwick of Eyre, divers manors and lands which 
pay to the ward of the castle aforesaid.* 

Concerning the aforesaid bailiwicks, note that the 
knights' fees belonging to the honor of Eye, are distributed 
into seven bailiwicks, called Balliva Chamberlayne, Balliva 



Vaux, &c, viz. — 






1. Chamberlayne, containing 


26 knights' fees. 


2. Vaux 




m .... 


3. Straunge 




20 


4. Turgys 


about 


7 


5. Parker 




71 

' 2 


6. Eyr 




12 


7. Berne (in Com. Surf.) 


about 


4 



* Liber P. L.N.N, called Norff. Tenures, p. 11, &c, and Liher ejvsd. 

called Lover s Book. u 



£90 



APPENDIX. 



All which knights' fees being partly in Norfolk, and 
partly in Suffolk and Essex, paid to the ward of the castle 
[of Eye] for each fee, twenty-pence, at the term [due] and 
suit to the court baron of Eye, from three weeks to three 
weeks.* 

OF OTHER SERVICES DUE TO THE CASTLE OF NORWICH. 

In the ancient book, called Testa de Nevill, which re- 
maineth in the exchequer, we find as follows, viz. — 

Roger de Burgo holds [Burgum] Burgh Castle, in 
Ludinglond hundred, in Suffolk, by the service of one 
balister (or cross-bow man) at his costs for [ad] the castle 
of Norwich, and the land is worth one hundred shillings. 

Josceline de Burgo holds [the same] Burgh by the 
serjeantry of balistery, which is worth twenty-three pounds, 
whereof the prior of Bromholm holds fifty-four acres, and 
many other persons hold many other parcels. 

[N.B. — This Burgh had been the manor of Stigand 
the archbishop, but was given with some other lands in this 
hundred, &c, by the king, to Ralph the balister, who held 
them when the Conqueror's Doomsday Book was made.] 

Ralph de Erleham holds the land of Robert de Worth- 
stede, in Erlham, by the serjeanty of (faciend. 40 diebus 
balistarium) performing the part of a balister for forty days 
in the castle of Norwich. And his land is worth forty 
shillings. f 

Robert Passelew, being a justice itinerant in the * * * 
year of King Henry the third, several of the grand and 
petit serjeantys in the county of Norfolk, &c, being aliened 
by the owners thereof without licence, he seized them into 
the king's hands, and made Ralph de Erlham make fine to 

*MS. P. L.N.N, 
f T. de Nevill, per W. Mariscall, Junior. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



291 



the king for his own serjeanty, and that of Robert de 
Worthstede, and for all those who held of the same ser- 
jeanty, at three pounds per annum. And that Ralph and 
his heirs should still do the old service of finding one 
servant with [una balistd] a cross-bow in Norwich castle in 
time of war, for forty days, at his own costs* 

Hugh de Hamuli granted to Will, de Pynkney thirty 
solidatse of land in Erlham, in arable land, in meadows, and 
in homages, to be held of him and his heirs, paying yearly 
twelve-pence, and to the ward of the arbalistery of Norwich 
when it happened, two shillings. 

Will, de Pynkeny of Tatersete, granted to Dompnus 
William, prior, and the convent of Norwich, to the use of 
the almoner, nine shillings and threepence of yearly rent 
to be received, viz. of John Chese, six shillings for sixty 
acres of land, which he held of him in Erlham ; and of 
Ralph de He chain three shillings and one pound of [cimim] 
cummin seed, for twenty acres of land which Katerine le 
Cunte held of the said Ralph ; and of John Bydun three- 
pence, for his, which he held of him (the said W. de Pynkeny) 
in Erlham, with all reliefs, &c. Also, he granted them, 
Katherine, the daughter of Stephen West, and William 
Cnobelhorn, with all their tenements [et sequelis suis] and 
posterity, to have and hold for ever. 

Ralph de Erlham granted to the prior and convent of 
Norwich and their successors, that they should hold of him 
and his heirs the tenement belonging to the serjeanty of 
[our] lord the king, which they purchased of Will, de Pyn- 
keny, paying fifteen-pence per annum. 

" Edward, by the grace of God, king, &c, to the sheriff 
of Norfolk. It appears to us, by inspection of the rolls of 
our exchequer, that Ralph de Erlham made a fine with the 

* Liber Inquisitionum in Scacc. penes Re mem. Regis, P. L.N.N. 

U 2 



292 



APPENDIX. 



lord king Henry our father, for sixty shillings, to be paid 
to our same father and his heirs at the exchequer yearly, 
for the alienation which the aforesaid Ralph had made of 
the serjeanty which sometime was of Robert de Wurtstede, 
which the same Ralph then held of our said father. So 
that the tenants of the lands and tenements alienated of the 
serjeanty aforesaid, should hold them of the aforesaid Ralph 
and his heirs, by the fine aforesaid. And upon the remon- 
strance of Geffrey de Erlham, son and heir of the aforesaid 
Ralph, lately deceased, we have understood that the afore- 
said tenants refuse to pay their portions, which they used to 
pay to the same Ralph, in aid of his payment of the fine 
aforesaid, &c. We command you, therefore, that you dis- 
train all the said tenants (whose names the said Geffrey 
will certify to you) by their lands which they hold of the 
aforesaid serjeanty in your bailiwick, and their chattels 
being in the same lands, to pay to the same Geffrey the 
portions which they used to pay to the same Ralph, towards 
the payment of the fine aforesaid, &c."* 

And hence it is, that in the accounts of the messor of 
Erlham, of the eighteenth and twentieth of Edward the 
second, and the first and fourth of Edward the third (which 
I have seen), there is yearly charged a payment of sixty 
shillings to the castle of Norwich, which money was levied 
of the tenants of the said manor of Erlham. 

And in other records as follow : — 

John de Erleham, the twentieth of Henry the third, 
held his land here by the serjeanty of a balister, in defend- 
ing the said castle for forty days.f 

In the fourteenth of Edward the first, before Sal. de 
Rochester, &c, the king's justices itinerant, the jury say 
concerning serjeanties, that Ralph de Herlham holds tile 

* Reyist. Secund. Eccles. Cathed. Norwici, fol. 56, 57. 
f Liber Inquisit. in Scaccar. 



NORWICH CASTLE, 



293 



manor of Herlham, which is worth per annum ten pounds, 
by the serjeanty of finding in the castle of Norwich one 
balister in the time of war, for forty days at his own charges. 
And it is rented at the king's exchequer at sixty shillings 
per annum. And the sheriff testifies that nothing is in 
arrear of that rent. And being asked whether it is entire 
or not, they say it is not ; because they say the abbot of 
Langele and certain others hold parcel of the same ser- 
jeanty. And they say that [our] lord the king is in seisin 
of the aforesaid sixty shillings by the hands of the aforesaid 
Ralph, and that the same Ralph performs the said service 
as aforesaid.* 

Ralph de Erleham, the twenty-third of Edward the 
first, holds of the king in capite, in Erleham, certain lands 
and tenements, by the service of finding, in the time of war, 
in the castle of Norwich, one man [cum balisterio] with a 
cross-bow, for forty days, at his own cost.f 

Again, the twenty-ninth of Edward the first, John 
Erleham held in his demesne, as of fee, five acres of land 
and four messuages, and twelve acres of land in Erleham 
of the king in capite, by fealty only, and by the service of 
sixty shillings, to be paid yearly to the castle of Norwich.^: 

In the sixth year of king Edward the fourth, Robert 
Aleyne died, seized of this manor of Erlham, held by castle- 
guard of Norwich castle.p 

I am not certain whether this belongs to our castle, viz. 

Walter Turssard holds in Baningham by arbalistry, of 
the gift of king Henry, and it was a member of Causton as 
his demesne. 1 1 

See more of arbalisters in the account of Norwich, 
from Doomsday Book. 

* Placita Coronce coram. Sal. Roff. et Soc. apud. Norwic. 14 E. i. (Rot. 3.) 
f P. L.N.N. \ P. L.N.N. § Eschaet. 6 Edw. rv., m. 11 

|j Lib. Feod. circa tempus Hen. ill. vel Edw. i. 



APPENDIX. 



[OF RENTS DE ALBA FIRMA.] 

There were also certain rents paid to the said castle, 
called de Alba Firma, viz. blanch or white farm. 

Henry, brother and heir of John Scogan, chaplain, 
held the manor of East Reynham Handles of the king in 
capite, as of the king's castle of Norwich, by the service of 
paying yearly at Easter forty shillings, de Alba Firma, to 
the said castle.* 

Afterwards Towneshend in soccage by the same service.f 

Nicholas atte Chirche, who married Margaret, the 
daughter of William, the brother of George de Melham, 
cousin and heir of the same George, held fifteen acres of 
land and two of meadow in * * * *, of the king in capite, 
by the serjeanty of paying to the castle of Norwich seven- 
teen-pence per annum.J 

Robert de Clifton, son and heir of Adam de Clifton, 
held in capite the hundred of Frethebrige, by the service 
of paying five shillings and eightpence de Alba Firma to 
the castle of Norwich, by the hands of the sheriff of Nor- 
folk, for all services.§ 

Castre Netherhall alias Lumpners Manor [in Caster 
near Norwich] with its appurtenances, was held by Thomas 
Pettus of the queen, in soccage, by the service and rent of 
twelve-pence per annum to the castle of Norwich, in the 
name of Alba Firma.\\ 

But I suspect there may be no more in these rents of 
Alba Firma at first, than only quit-rents due to the king, 
which were usually paid at the castle. 

* Fin. Mich. 20 R. 2, Rot. 1. in Scaccar. P.L.N.N. 
t P.L.N.N. 

| P.L.N.N. Fines Mich, in ScaccA Hen. iv. § Id. 1 Hen. v. 

|| Eschaet. 40 Eliz. fol. 326, val. 201b. P.L.N.N. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



295 



[OF PRISES.] 

And besides all these, there were certain perquisites 
called Prises, claimed and taken by the sheriff of Norfolk 
as custos of the said castle, as follow : — 

Pleas of the crown before Salom. de Rochester and his 
associate justices itinerant, the fourteenth of Edward I. 

The city of Norwich came by twelve jurors. Con- 
cerning new customs,* they say, that all the sheriffs, from 
the time of Will, de Swynesford, sheriff, viz. now twenty- 
four years past, have taken of every boat coming to this 
city with herrings, twelve herrings ; and of every boat laden 
with [miduello] query, salt-fish, or cod-fish, or haddock ? one 
whiting and one haddock ; and of every cart-load [virgarum] 
of osiers coming to the market of Norwich, one handful ; 
and of every cart-load of earthen pots, one pot ; and of 
every cart-load of [muluello] salt-fish coming to the market, 
one mulvell and a-half ; and of every pannier with herrings 
and \marleng\ whitings coming to the market, three herrings 
or three [marleng] whitings. 

And hereupon came Will, de Rothing, the sheriff, and 
says, that [our] lord the king is in seisin of these prises as 
of fee belonging to the castle of [our] said lord the king. 
And the jury testifies the same. 

Before the same justices, the jury of the hundred of 
South-Erpingham presented, that Will, de Rothing, the 
sheriff, took of John Sparwe of Caustone, in the fair of 
St. Mary Magdalen without Norwich, certain fish to the 
value of twelve shillings, by extortion ; and of Alex. Leuyng, 
fish to the value of six shillings and tenpence, as prise 
to the castle of Norwich, and paid them nothing for the 
same. 

* It is also in the roll of presentments before said justices under this title, 
viz. De Prisis Domini Regis sint in terra, fyc. Rot. in Guildhall. 



296 



APPENDIX. 



[OF GIFTS.] 

The officers of the castle also received good gifts of 
the religious houses (and of other persons I suppose) yearly, 
at Christinas time and sometimes at Easter and Purification. 
For instance, it appeai-s in the accounts of the chamber of 
the prior of Norwich, that he paid to the sheriff, the she- 
riff's lady, and \_castellensibus] to the officers of the castle, 
in king Edward the third's time, three or four pounds 
yearly. The highest sum mentioned to be paid in one year 
is four pounds fifteen shillings and twopence, and the lowest 
fifty-five shillings.* 

In said accounts, and in the accounts of the times of 
W. de Kyrkeby and H. de Lakenhani, priors before him, 
the said officers and gifts are sometimes particularized ; as, 
to the sheriff, forty shillings (later accounts twenty shillings) 
to the sheriff's [armiger] gentleman one shilling and six- 
pence, (later accounts three shillings and fourpence) ; to the 
constable six shillings and eightpence ; to the constable's 
clerk one shilling and sixpence ; to the clerks in the castle 
six shillings ; to the gate-keeper three shillings ; to the 
\_cursoribus] messengers of the castle one shilling, perhaps 
the same mentioned in another account ; to the itinerant 
bailiff of the castle sixpence ; to the \specidatori\ watchman 
of the castle one shilling. And in the account of the Ma- 
gister Cellarij of said priory, the fourth of Henry the fourth, 
to the under-sheriff of Norfolk six shillings and eightpence, 
and to the under-sheriff of Suffolk, also six shillings and 
eightpence. 

Some of these are from the accounts of the prioress of 
Carrowe. 

Also Comp. Carrowe, the twenty-fifth of Edward i. 
Paid for writing and sealing divers writs at the castle, &c, 
fourpence. 

* Compot.Camere,W. deClaxton, prions Nonoic. anno ejusd. Svo, usq. 15mm. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



297 



Comp. Norwich priory, viz. Camere W. Claxton, prioris. 

Paid to Geffrey Ingelger, for copying of writs in the 
castle, twelve-pence. 

Item — Paid to one of the castle for a certain fine levied, 
six shillings and eightpence. 

Comp. Elemosin. Norwic. 1340, gives to the bailiffs of 
the castle for delivering of the horses at Wyckilwode at 
divers times, five shillings and eightpence. 

Compot. Magistri Celarij Ecc. Norwic. the thirty-ninth 
year of Edward the third to the fortieth. 

To Roger Clerk, constable, and to other bailiffs and 
ministers of the castle among themselves, with the chaplain 
and esquires of the sheriff, twenty-five shillings and ten- 
pence. 

From these accounts, it seems the castle was the place 
of residence for the under-sheriff of Norfolk, and his clerks 
and bailiffs. 

And this being the principal castle which the king had 
in the two counties of Norfolk and Suffolk (which were 
both under one sheriff anciently) it was represented on the 
seal of office belonging to the high sheriffs, which they used 
for the return of all writs, &c. Mention is made of this 
seal in the roll of pleas before the king, the twenty-first of 
Edward the first, where it is called the " Sigittum Castri 
Norwici" and said to be the Sigittum vicecomitis comitatus 
perpetuum et auctoritatum et cognitum per totum comitatum 
ad returnum Brevium, coram quibuscunque justiciariis 
Domini Regis faciendum* 

They still use the castle upon the said seal of office; 
but for some years past have made a new one for every 
sheriff, adding his particular crest of arms, or the two initial 
letters of his name. 

* Firma Burgi, p. 115, Ex Trin. Plac. coram Rege 21 Edw. I. Rot. 6, 
(versus Ballivos de Dunewico.) 



298 



APPENDIX. 



OF THE CHAPEL. 
In the said castle was also a chapel for divine service, 
and was called the king's free chapel ; and the chaplain 
who officiated there was paid his salary by the king. 

The fifty-sixth of Henry the third. Paid to a chaplain 
in the castle of Norwich, fifty shillings ; and paid for re- 
pairing of the king's houses in the said castle, * * * * *f 

It is called the chapel of St. Nicholas, in a record of 
the thirteenth of Edward i.$ 

This chapel I take to have stood on the north side of 
the castle ; and that the house wherein now is the chamber 
for the grand jury, and rooms for petty juries, &c, is the 
same which was the said chapel. The position of the 
building lying in length from east to west, and the but- 
tresses like those of a church still remaining at the west end 
of it, — also the situation of the decayed chapel now remain- 
ing at Rising Castle, and much at the same distance from 
it, are inducements for me to think that this was our said 
chapel of St. Nicholas. 



OF THE FRANCHISES IN ANCIENT TIMES BELONGING TO THE 
INHABITANTS WITHIN THE LIBERTY OF THE CASTLE, 
WHICH IS CALLED THE CASTLE FEE. 

In old time the castle was habitable and of great 
honor, holden with all the honors and privileges ; and 
was well walled and covered with lead.§ 

" The castle of Norwyz hath for name Blauncheflour, of 
ancient name, whereof no memory runs. And these are 
the franchises and the usages of the burgesses, the free 

f Mag. Rot. 56 Hen. hi. 
f Plita Jur. et. Assis. pro Johanna de Creke, vid. Essex, 13 Edw. i. Hot. 30. 
§ P. L.N.N, ex MS S. Themilthorp. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



299 



tenants of our lord the king, of the fee of the castle of 
Norwyz, since the conquest of Willeme the Bastard. 

And since the conquest of Willame the Bastard, hath 
the castle of Norwyz been infranchised with divers fran- 
chises, and with divers usages. 

And in the said castle there is a chapel, which is called 
the king's free chapel, because a chaplain sings therein, and 
ought to sing for the souls of all the kings which have been 
since the conquest abovesaid. 

And the said chapel is moreover infranchised since 
the time abovesaid ; so that, if all England was interdicted, 
excepting only the king's chapel, the chaplain of the chapel 
abovesaid might sing his mass by note in the said chapel. 

Archbishop, bishop, nor any of their ministers, may 
not nor ought not to make visitation nor correction upon 
the fee of the abovesaid castle, because of the franchise of 
the chapel abovesaid, in the abovesaid castle. 

The chaplain of the chapel abovesaid hath power to 
make correction in spirituals (excepting matrimony and 
wills) of the tenants of the fee of the castle abovesaid, as 
fully as any official, or as the Dean of Norwyz hath power 
in the city abovesaid. 

The chapel of the castle abovesaid hath had no sepul- 
ture, and therefore the tenants of the fee of the abovesaid 
castle are assigned, by ancient usage, to the parish churches 
in the city abovesaid, where they pay their tithes, and make 
their offerings, and receive their rights of holy church, and 
there they have their sepulture. And those who die in the 
castle, as well the prisoners as others, have their sepulture 
in the churchyard of St. Martyn of the Bailli ; if the corpse 
be not devised to be interred elsewhere. 

Round about the castle aforesaid without, there are 
divers houses from ancient time ; and they are called tenants 



300 



APPENDIX 



of the fee of the castle abovesaid, because they pay a 
certain rent to the sheriff of Norfolk, or to the warden of 
the castle, whosoever he be, to his farm at the feast of 
St. Michael, as the foreign tenants of the castle do that 
which is called Vaytefe and wardefe at their terms as- 
signed. 

The tenements of the fee of the castle abovesaid, may 
be sold and devised as the tenements of the said city ; and 
also as the other burgesses of the said city are gildable 
for their tenements which they hold in the said city, 
in the same manner are the tenants of the fee of the 
castle abovesaid gildable to our lord the king, for the 
tenements which they hold upon the fee of the castle 
abovesaid. 

And if [weyt alias veille] watch ought to be done in 
the said city in time of war, the abovesaid tenants of the 
fee of the castle shall perform the watch round about the 
castle. And if the castle ought to be garrisoned with men- 
of-arms in time of war, the abovesaid tenants shall be in 
the place of [serjaunz] soldiers, hired at the costs of our 
lord the king. 

The coroner of Norwyz shall perform his office about 
the dead man in the said castle, and throughout the fee 
of the castle, as fully as elsewhere in the city, and about 
all other offices which pertain to the crown. 

The residents of the fee of the said castle use, and 
ought to use, all the usages and the franchises which have 
been granted by all the kings which have been since the 
conquest abovesaid, and by the confirmation of our lord the 
king which now is, to all the citizens of Norwyz, as well 
without charter as by charter, even as the same king which 
now is hath commanded and testified to his sheriffs by his 
writs of grace. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



301 



The sheriff of Norfolk, whosoever he be, may let out 
at rent all the void places in the circuit of the castle [pour 
sauver] to help out his farm, without giving an account at 
the exchequer, even as the sheriffs have used since the 
conquest abovesaid. 

The sheriff or his constable of the said castle shall hold 
their courts at their pleasure and view of frankpledge once 
in the year, to serve the king, and redress all manner of 
trespasses which shall be done upon the said fee, as fully as 
the bailiffs of Norwyz do in the said city. And have power, 
by ancient usage, to plead in their court in the castle 
all manner of writs which they plead in the city, and 
likewise with frescheforce, if the plaint be made within 
forty days. 

Baker nor brewer, being of the fee of the castle afore- 
said, shall not be amerced but according to the quantity of 
the trespass, and shall be affeered by their peers. 

And if a burgess of the said city purchase rents upon the 
fee of the castle aforesaid, he shall do the services for his 
proportion as fully as do the residents thereof themselves. 
And the residents in like manner, if they purchase land of 
the said city. 

If a trespass be done by one of the fee of the said castle 
to one of the said city, or the contrary, the franchise shall 
be demanded on one part, and on the other part. If the 
plaint be made in the castle, the bailiffs of the said city 
shall demand their franchise ; and if the plaint be made in 
the said city, the sheriff or the constable shall demand their 
franchise of the castle. And if an inquest ought to be taken, 
it shall be taken as well of the men of the fee of the said 
castle, as of the men of the said city. And the inquest 
shall pass in the presence of the sheriff or of the constable, 
and of the bailiffs in the churchyard of St. John of Ber- 



302 



APPENDIX. 



strete. And if he of the fee of the castle be amerced, the 
sheriff shall have the amercements. And if he of the city- 
be amerced, the bailiffs shall have the amercements. 

The bailiffs of the abovesaid city of Norwyz, nor any 
of their ministers, may enter upon the fee of the said castle, 
for to make summons nor distress upon any of the tenants 
of the fee of the abovesaid castle, if it be not by the special 
grace of the king. 

When the king's marshalls come to assay the measures 
of the city of Norwyz, no assay shall be made of the measures 
of the free tenants of the fee of the castle, but only upon the 
fee of the castle abovesaid.* 

When the [Pikars] Picards, which were called Pike- 
chens, came into England and took the city of Norwich,f 
and besieged the castle of the said city, then entered the 
men of the fee of abovesaid into the castle, and saved the 
castle honorably, to the use of the king which then was ; 
for some of them were good men-of-arms, some good ar- 
balisters, some good archers, and the others forcible in 
defence. 

Wherefore, all those which were then and since in- 
feoffed, have enjoyed their franchises, and ought [so to do] 
most honorably in all points.''^ 

The former part of them is also in Regist. 7 Eccles. 
Cath. N., viz. all before the paragraph which begins " The 
sheriff of Norfolk," &c. 

* It appears by Fleta, 1. 2, c. 12, that when the king's clerk of the 
market came to any town, he caused all the weights and measures to be 
brought together before him, and a jury to be examined. Therefore, this 
clause means, that the weights and measures should not be carried from the 
castle fee into the city to be tried, but must be done upon the fee, before 
a jury of the tenants thereof. 

f This refers, as I think, to the taking of the city by the Flemings, 
in Henry the second's time. 

\ Liber Cartarum et Placitorum in GiMhaU, N. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



303 



[ECCLESIASTICAL IMMUNITIES OF THE FEE.] 
The probate of wills relating to the tenements of the 
fee of the castle were in old time made before the con- 
stable of the castle. 

I have seen the will of one John de Bliburgh, smith, 
made a.d. 1304, which was proved in the castle of Norwich, 
on Friday, being the morrow after Ascension-Day, the 
thirty-second of Edward the first, before the constable of 
the castle, in the time of Robert Hey ward, sheriff* 

But the ecclesiastical immunities of the castle fee were 
not without some opposition from the Deans of Norwich in 
old time : take this instance, of the sixth of Edward the 
first, viz. — 

A Petition to the King, by the Dean of Norwich, whereby 
he claimed the jurisdiction in the fee of the castle of 
the said city. 

" Henry Sampson, dean of Norwich, says and proposes 
that the deans of the said city had ecclesiastical jurisdiction 
in the fee of the castle of Norwich, unto the time of the 
war. [That] Sir Philip Marmyun, constable of the castle 
of Norwich, occupied that jurisdiction in the time of the 
war, and made corrections in the aforesaid castle of adulte- 
ries and fornications and certain other crimes. 

" The sheriffs afterwards said, that [our] lord the king 
is in possession of the jurisdiction^ neither do they permit 
the dean to make due corrections. 

" And the adulterers and fornicators of the city, when 
they are prosecuted [impetuntur], obtain immunity in the 
fee of the castle, to the danger of their souls and the preju- 



* Lib. Cart, et Placit. prcedict. 



304 



APPENDIX. 



dice of the ecclesiastical liberty, whereupon he prays a 
remedy."* 

It is much to be questioned whether the said dean's 
allegation was true ; because there are many instances, in 
Mr. Prynne's said volume, of the endeavours of the eccle- 
siastics to encroach to themselves the jurisdiction of the 
king's free chapels and places to them pertaining; and 
it seems this dean's greatest care was really to empty the 
people's pockets. See more about him under the year 1286. 



OF THE DIMINUTION OF THE CIVIL PRIVILEGES OF THE 
TENANTS OF THE CASTLE-FEE, AND HOW IT WAS 
BROUGHT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY. 

I have seen a writ of King Edward the first to the 
sheriff of Norfolk, founded upon a judgment which was 
given for the citizens, in the exchequer, the twenty-first of 
Henry the third, viz. — 

" Edward, king, &c. Because in our court, &c. We 
command you that you permit the men who are tenants of 
the fee of our castle of the city of Norwich, or any others 
whosoever merchandizing in the same city with the citizens, 
to contribute with them in talliages and other aids, accord- 
ing to the [consider at ionem] judgment aforesaid. Teste 
R. de Norhwde at Westminster, the first day of October, 
in the fourth year of our reign."f 

Afterwards, viz. in the reign of King Edward the 
third, the citizens petitioned the king to grant them the 
jurisdiction of the castle-fee, whereupon the following writs 
of Ad quod Damnum, 8fc. ensued : — 

* Bund. Petitionum an. 6 Edw. /., ap. Prynn's Hist, of Pope's 
Usurpations, vol.3, p. 1221. 
f Per Rotul. Placitorum, de anno Regni Dom. H. Hey is 21. — Bundel 
Brevium in Thes. Civitat. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



305 



" Edward, by the grace of God, king of England and 
France, &c. to John de la Rokele, John de Berneye, and 
Robert Clere, greeting. The citizens of Norwich have 
supplicated us, that whereas the men residing upon the 
fee of the castle of the city of Norwich, may enjoy and 
use all the liberties granted to the citizens, and nevertheless 
pretend that they ought to be free from making contribu- 
tions with the citizens ; and to be exempt from the jurisdic- 
tion of the baillives ; whereby many felons, &c. committing 
crimes in the city have fled to the said fee, &c. We would 
therefore grant to them, that all the residents within the 
aforesaid fee may be under the jurisdiction of the baillives 
of the city, and that the baillives may have cognizance of 
all pleas arising within the same fee. And that the men of 
the fee may contribute with the citizens, and may be talli- 
ated by the same citizens in all taxes to be granted to us 
and our heirs. Also, that the said baillives may inquire 
and do justice concerning all transgressions, felonies, &c. 
from henceforth happening within the said fee, according 
to the law and custom of the city. And may collect the 
rent of all the tenants of the same fee, and may answer the 
same by their own hands to us at our exchequer, as the 
sherrffs have been used to answer it. We, being willing 
to be certified whether it would be to the damage of us or 
of others, or harm to our castle, if we should consent to the 
supplication of the citizens, &c. do assign you to inquire 
by the oath of honest and lawful men of the county of 
Norfolk, by whom, &c. we may fully know the truth of all 
and singular the premises, &c. Given at Westminster, the 
twelfth of May, in the year of our reign of England nine- 
teen, and of France six." 

Upon this the following inquest was taken : — 
" An inquest taken at Thorp Episcopi, on the Saturday 

x 



306 



APPENDIX. 



next after the feast of the Holy Trinity, in the year of the 
reign of King Edward the third, of England the nine- 
teenth, and of France the sixth, before John de Berneye 
and Robert Clere, according to the king's commission, by 
J ohn Curzoun, chevalier (or knight), Hugh Peverel, cheva- 
lier, Robert Bucskyn, chevalier, Bog. Bretoun, Tho. de 
Bodham, Tho. de Begeville, Will. Bretoun, Clem, de 
Plumstede, John de Buxton, James Rightwys, John le 
Cally de Aylesham, and Bob. de Yelverton, jurors, who 
say upon their oath, that it is not to the damage nor preju- 
dice of [our] lord the king, nor of others, nor to the harm 
of the castle of Norwich, although [our] lord the king 
should grant to the citizens of Norwich, that all the men 
residing within the fee of the castle of the city aforesaid, 
who now are or for the time shall be, may be under the 
jurisdiction of the baillives of the said city of Norwich, 
who for the time shall be. And that if the king should 
grant to the baillives to have the cognizances of all pleas 
by the king's writs arising within the said fee, [our] lord 
the king would lose the amercements, &c. arising of the 
same pleas, which are worth by year, according to the 
true value of them, twelvepence. And they say, that it is 
not to the damage, &c. although the men of the fee should 
contribute in aids and contributions with the citizens, nor 
that they should be talliated by the citizens in taxes to be 
granted to the king and his heirs. Also, that it is not to 
the damage, &c. that the baillives may inquire, &c. con- 
cerning all the transgressions, &c. henceforth happening 
within the fee. They say also, that it is not to the damage, 
&c. although the citizens might levy the rents of all the 
tenants of the fee, &c. They say also, that the sum of the 
rents of the aforesaid tenants extends per annum to twenty- 
six shillings and tenpence ; and that the profits of the court 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



307 



of the said tenants extend, by estimation, to nine shillings 
per annum. They say also, that there is a certain leet held 
yearly of the said tenants, which extends by estimation, to 
six shillings and eightpence ; and that the sheriffs for the 
time being have used to take the abovesaid profits of such 
courts and leets, and not [alia] more. And they say, that 
it is not to the damage, Sec. if [our] lord the king should 
grant to the said citizens and their successors, that the 
baillives of the city may have the return of all writs, sum- 
mons, &c. of tenures and pleas touching the residents in 
the same fee, as the sheriffs have hitherto had. — In cujus 
rei testimonium sigilla sua apposuerunt" 

Which inquest being returned into the king's chancery 
at Westminster, Monsieur Johan Howard, then sheriff of 
Norfolk, to hinder [the effect of] the said inquest, sent to 
the king and his council a bill, in these words following : — 

u To our lord the king, and to his council, Johan 
Howard, sheriff of Norfolk, sheweth : That, whereas our 
said lord the king is lord of the castle of Norwyz, and he 
and his progenitors, kings of England, have been, from 
time whereof there is no memory, as in right of the crown, 
to which he hath a place annexed, and from all time hath 
so been, which is called Castellond, joining to the said 
castle. The which castle and place also are, and from all 
time have been, out of the jurisdiction of the citizens of 
the said city, of which castle and place our said lord also 
hath his free chapel, where no ordinary ought to concern 
himself, excepting only in testaments and matrimony, but 
the chaplain of the said chapel, who there sings for our 
said lord, and for the souls of his progenitors. And upon 
the said place are many residents, who every one pay 
a certain farm to the sheriff, in the king's right of his 
crown, and wherewith the sheriff is charged in his account. 

x2 



308 



APPENDIX. 



And also, every one is charged to perform a certain [garde] 
warde in a certain place of the said castle, where need shall 
be ; and therefore they were the first inhabited, and ex- 
empted from the citizens of the said city. And also the 
sheriff, in the right of our lord the king and of his crown, 
hath also there a court of the said residents from three 
weeks to three weeks, and view of Frankpledge, wherewith 
he is charged in his account. 

" And the said residents are taxable to all aids to our 
said lord, and agistable to arms by themselves, and not 
among the said citizens. 

" And within the said place is a house which is called 
the Shirehouse, where the [county-court] the assizes, and 
commonly all other pleas to be held in the said county, are 
held, and have been of long time, where the baillives, and 
men of the country who are debtors to the king, commonly 
repair to such sessions, whereby the sheriff can distrain 
and attach them there for the king's debt, better than in 
any other place within his bailiwick, without commanding 
the baillives of the city to do it, as he is obliged to do in 
other places within the city. 

" And the said citizens, by their untrue suggestions, 
cause our said lord to understand that it will not be to his 
damage, nor to the damage of others, to grant them the 
said place to be annexed to their said city, and within 
their jurisdiction. Upon which a commission is granted 
to them to certain men, whereof some are of their fee and 
their council, to inquire hereof, and an inquest is taken by 
men not apprized nor informed of the king's right, and 
impannelled by a baillive who is one of the said citizens. 
Wherefore, may it please our said lord the king and his 
council to have regard to his right, and to preserve the 
right of his crown and the estate of his said poor residents, 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



309 



so that this thing may not be granted to the said citizens 
until it be fully inquired, by commandment given to the 
eschaetor, or to some of the king's Serjeants, or to some 
other knowing person who is not of the fee nor council of 
the said citizens, in presence of the eschaetor, and others 
who will and know the right of the king." 

Upon this bill was issued a new writ of ad quod dam- 
num, at the suit of the said sheriff, to Monsieur John 
Bardolf de Wyrmegeye, Monsieur Will. Carbonel, and 
Rog. de Dersingham. 

" Edward, by the grace of God, king, &c. to John 
Bardolf, &c. The citizens of Norwich have supplicated 
us, &c. as in the former writ. 

" Given at Westm., the sixteenth of June, in the year 
aforesaid." 

Upon which an inquest was again taken, viz. — 
" An inquest taken at Newton, near Wyghtlingham, 
on the Monday next after the feast of the Translation of 
St. Thomas the Martyr, in the nineteenth year of the reign 
of King Edward the third, before John Bardolf de Wyr- 
megey, Will. Carbonel, and Rog. de Dersingham, justices 
of our lord the king, by the oath of Thomas de Byntre, 
Richard Hakon, Roger Est, Reginald de Refham, John 
de Eggemere, Simon atte Haghe, John de Helebek, Rob. 
Hereward, John in the Wylwes, John de Somerton, Tho. 
de Essex, and John atte Lee, who say upon their oath, 
that although [our] lord the king should grant to the 
citizens of Norwich and their successors, that the men 
residing within the fee of the castle of the city aforesaid 
may be always under the jurisdiction of the baillives of 
Norwich/ it is not to the damage of the king, &c. nor to 
the harm of the castle of Norwich, nor to the damage or pre- 
judice of any good man, but rather to the benefit ; because 



310 



APPENDIX. 



the malefactors and disturbers of the king's peace flee into 
the said fee, there lurk, and very often escape without 
punishment. Also they say, that if [our] lord the king 
should grant the citizens that the baillives of Norwich may 
have the cognizances of pleas, &c. the king would lose 
twelvepence. Item. That it is not to the damage, &c. if 
the men of the fee should contribute with the citizens ; so, 
nevertheless, that the same men may enjoy the liberties of 
citizens ; nor that the said men should be talliated by the 
same citizens in all aids to the king and his heirs ; nor that 
the baillives of the city, concerning all transgressions, &c. 
should inquire, &c. So, nevertheless, that the house which 
is called le Shirehous may be exempted from the jurisdiction 
of the baillives of the city. 

*' f Nor is it to the damage, Sec. although the citizens 
should collect the rents of the tenants of the fee by the 
baillives, and answer it, &c. as the sheriffs have used to 
do ; so that the sheriff and constable of the said castle for 
the time being may be discharged from that rent. 

" Also, they say that the sum of the rent of the afore- 
said tenants extends, per annum, to twenty-six shillings 
and tenpence, the profits of the court to nine shillings, the 
leet six shillings and eightpence. 

" And they say that the sheriffs have hitherto had the 
executions of all writs and summons, &c. touching the said 
residents. And they say that it is not to the damage, &c. 
although the king should grant to the said citizens and 
their successors that the baillives of the city for the time 
being should have the return of all writs, &c. 

" And they say that the sheriff for the time being has 
hitherto used to receive the abovesaid profits. In testimony 
of which thing the aforesaid jurors have affixed their seals."* 

* Liber 1. Introit. Civium., fol. 8. 



NORWICH CASTLE, 



311 



And hereupon the king granted to the citizens the 
said jurisdiction, &c. by his charter, which see under the 
year 1345 ; but it continued to be a separate division, and 
to have a leet of itself ; for it was not made a part of the 
other leets, or to be within the jurisdiction or cognizance 
of any of the inquests of the four wards of the city, who 
are sworn at the quarter sessions of the city, to inquire 
into and present offences in the said wards. 



OF THE SHIRE-HOUSE. 

The shire-house, where the assizes for the county of 
Norfolk, the sessions and county courts are held, and at 
which elections of the knights of the shire for parliament, 
and of the coroners for the said county, &c, which now 
stands on the castle-hill, adjoining to the north side of the 
castle, is not the shire-house meant in the sheriff's bill and 
inquest just now recited ; for that which now is, was built 
in Queen Elizabeth's time, before which, for some ages, 
the shire-house stood upon the hill which is southward 
from the castle, beyond the second ditch, near the lane 
called the Golden-ball-lane, viz. towards the west, between 
that and Rochester's-lane. 

The greatest part of that hill which is now known by 
the name of Garter-hill, whereon the said old shire-house 
stood, seems then to have been inclosed, having a ditch 
then also on the south-west side of it, near the houses 
where the hollow road is now ; and in deeds of Edward the 
first's time, as in the fifteenth, twenty-second, and thirty- 
third years of his reign, is therefore called Curia Comitatus, 
and the fossatum, or ditch of it, is mentioned in these 
deeds. And in later writings, as of Edward the third's 
time, we find it by the name of Schirhousyerd, and in 



312 



APPENDIX. 



another of the second of Henry the fourth, Curia vocata 
Shirhousyerd. Also the common way leading versus Comi- 
tatum,, that is, to or towards the Shirehouse, is mentioned 
the thirty-fourth of Edward the first. 

King Edward the second, by his charter to the citizens, 
in the nineteenth of his reign, granted that his justices, 
ministers, &c. should hold their sessions for assizes, juries, 
inquests, &c. in no place within the city, but only in the 
aforesaid shire-house.* 

I have been informed by one Mrs. Burrows, an aged 
woman, and old inhabitant of St. John's Timberhill parish, 
that, when she was a girl, there was part of an old stone 
house standing on the said Garter-hill, (so called from its 
being used formerly for warping of garters there), near the 
Golden-ball-lane, viz. almost upon that spot of ground on 
which the cistern was built a few years ago (but stood not 
long) for the water-works, but it was nearer to the said 
lane. And that she particularly remembered the windows 
of it to have had iron bars in them. This has been since 
confirmed to me by Justice Thacker,f who remembers the 
walls of the house there standing, and the iron bars in the 
windows, so that he took it to have been a prison. This I 
verily believe to have been the old shire-house. % 

Her father kept the county gaol for several years, and 
dwelt in the house called the Golden-ball, where the better 
sort of prisoners who had money, lodged then, and not in 
the castle (as had before been used in the house which is on 
the other side of the said lane, opposite to the Ball, which 
was therefore called the old gaol.) 

Further, I find that (after the new shire-house was 



* Pat. 19, Edw. ii., pt. 1. [f Mayor in 1705.] 

| Query — Nevertheless, if not, one of the houses next the lane. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



313 



built on the castle-hill), Queen Elizabeth, at the peti- 
tion of Henry, Lord Wentworth, granted to Theophilus 
Adams and Thomas Butler, of London, gentlemen, a void 
parcel of land, and a ruinous cottage or messuage thereupon 
built, commonly called the Old Shere-house, in the city of 
Norwich.* 

And at an assembly, on Friday the tenth of June, the 
first of King James the first, Thomas Worsley desiring 
some enlargement of a piece of ground on the backside of 
the Shere-house, which he now holdeth by three shillings 
andfourpence rent, it was ordered, that the chamberlain, &c. 
take a view thereof, and allot him so much more ground as 
they think fit, he paying a reasonable rent. And they 
granted to him twenty feet of the waste ground on the 
north side of the shire-house for twenty-one years. 

In 1638, I find one Raven, an alehouse-keeper, in the 
shire-house.f 

Further, it is to be noted that all the ground of the 
castle fee being granted to the city as aforesaid, they made 
their profit of it % by giving leave for erecting booths thereon 
in the times of assizes, sessions, &c.§ 

So that in the chamberlain's accompts of the city, fre- 
quent mention of these booths is to be found. Take a few 
instances : — 

Thirty-fifth of Henry the sixth. " Item. — Received 
for the farm of the [Opettce] booths at the shire-house, in 
the time of the sessions, three shillings and sixpence." 

The fourth of Henry the seventh. " Received of 
Edm. Cullyng, for licence of setting [Opell.] booths upon 

* Teste, 2nd August, Pat. 27 Eliz. pars 4ta. 
f Car. 18th April, 1638. 
^ The herbage or feeding of the grass there belongs to the city. 
§ Rot. Cony. ven. ante Mick. 10 Hen. iv. 



314 



APPENDIX. 



the soil of commonalty of Norwich, near the house called 
the Shirehouse [tempore session, et com.] in the time of 
sessions and county-courts there held, for this year, two 
shillings and fourpence." 

A. D. 1541. " Bothes. Item. — Eeceived of Rob. 
Brown, jaylour of the castyll, for that non other person but 
he shall set any vytallyng-bothes within the compass of 
the castyll dyche, at any tyme of assyse and sessyons, for 
this yere, four shillings, sc. ageynst the shere-hous and 
castyll-gate."* 

At a court of mayoralty, the seventh of July, 1655, 
it was agreed, that Fran. Sheppard and Will. Playford 
(and no other) shall have liberty of pitching and building 
of booths in and about the castle dikes and hills within the 
county of this city, during the time of these next assizes, as 
formerly used. And they to pay for the same thirty shil- 
lings to the chamberlain, within one week after the assizes 
ended. 

The like agreement was made the second of July, 
1656, and other years. 

This hill has sometimes been used for the place where 
the great guns of the city were fired upon days of public 
rejoicing, as coronation, &c. Sometimes Mushold-hill, 
formerly Tombland, but generally the castle hill, is the 
place for that purpose. 

At a court of mayoralty, the twelfth of June, 1678, 
ordered, that the cannoneer shall have thirty pounds of 
powder for the firing of the great guns upon the Guild- 
even, morning and day, being the usual allowance. And 
they are to be fired in the castle dikes, either upon the 
bank, by the meadow, or upon the hill where the old 
shire-house stood. 



* Compot. Camerar. de annis pnedictis. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



315 



And once this hill was (or at leasts was designed to be) 
the place of a windmill ; for at an assembly, the twenty- 
fourth of Elizabeth, the chamberlain and his councillors, &c. 
were appointed to view a new plot of ground on the castle 
hill, near the shire-house, which Mr. Tho. Sotherton, alder- 
man, desireth to have for the setting of a windmill, and to 
confer with him for the price, and with the miller of the 
new mills for the taking of the same, in ferme of the 
city; if the city shall buy it of Mr. Sotherton. And to 
certify at the next assembly what they shall have done 
therein. But I suppose it was thought it might be pre- 
judicial to the new mills, and therefore never performed ; 
for I find no more about it. 

OF THE DITCHES OF THE CASTLE. 

The ditches, which were made about the castle of 
Norwich for the defence of it, were anciently very large 
and deep, as may still be seen by the ditch which is on the 
east and south sides of the hill, notwithstanding many 
thousands of cart-loads of rubbish have been thrown into 
it, whereby it is there much narrower and shallower than 
in former times ; and on the other sides, almost filled up. 
Alex. Nevill observes, that part of the outward ditch was 
filled up in his time j but there was so little filled then, 
that Mr. Cambden, after that, describes the castle to be 
seated on a very high hill, which is encompassed with a 
ditch [immanis altitudinis] of a prodigious depth, so that it 
seems informer ages to have been impregnable. Thus he. 

Formerly, indeed, the ditches of the castle were pre- 
served with great care from being filled up (as were also 
those of the city) ; and I have met with several instances 
thereof : take a few : — 



316 



APPENDIX. 



At an assembly, on the Monday before the feast of 
the nativity of B. Mary, the fifteenth of Edward the fourth, 
ordained, that Edmund Reade, on this side Michaelmas 
next, shall carry away sixty cart-loads of the muck out of 
the ditch of the castle, by him there injuriously [accumulate] 
heaped up ; and the residue by him there laid, to be emptied 
on this side the feast of All Saints next ; under the penalty 
of twenty marks. 

In the chamberlain's accompt, the fifth of Henry the 
seventh. Received of diverse persons, in all, forty-four 
shillings. And it is to be noted, that this sum of forty -four 
shillings was collected by agreement of the aforesaid per- 
sons, because they had, in times past, caused all the muck 
and filth of their houses to be carried and cast into the 
ditch of the castle, until it was forbidden by Hen. Wyot, 
constable of the castle of [our] lord the king, &c. 

" Charges and expences done for amending the ditches 
of the castle, for carrying out the muck there by command 
of R. Gardener, mayor ; to avoid the great displeasure of 
the king had against this city, by reason of the aforesaid 
ditches so filled with muck by the citizens. Imprimis. 
Paid to the said Hen. Wyot, the constable, which was 
given him in [regardo] regard that he should not inform 
thereof, to the damage or grievance of* the city, forty 
shillings. Item. — Paid to the didalmen and other labour- 
ers, for carrying the muck out of the said ditch, with [sine- 
fectorio] a wheelbarrow, or dung-cart, unto the [vicum] lane 
opposite to the messuage of John Carleton, twenty-eight 
shillings and sixpence."* 

At an assembly, the eleventh of April, the twentieth 
of Henry the seventh, ordained, that if any inhabitant 
within this city shall henceforth be taken in carrying muck, 

* Comp. Corner. 5 Hen. vn. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



317 



or other filthy things, and putting them in the ditches of 
the castle, or in the ditches without the walls of the city, 
or in any lane used for people to walk in ; every one so 
taken shall forfeit for every time fourpence. 

And other assemblies, the twenty-sixth and twenty- 
seventh of Henry the eighth, ordained, viz. the twenty- 
sixth of Henry the eighth : that no person shall lay or cause 
to be laid in or upon the castle-dike, meadow, Cokey-lane, 
or any brent ground within the city, any colder, &c, under 
pain of two shillings for every offence. The twenty-seventh 
of Henry the eighth : that no person shall keep or put to 
feed any mare, sheep, or lamb upon the castle ditches or 
meadow, nor any common, green, or lane within the city : 
pain, fortypence for every mare, and twelvepence for every 
sheep or lamb so taken. 

At a court of mayoralty, the fifteenth of June, the 
third of Edward the sixth, Sir John Godsalve, knight, 
came and declared, that, whereas he is lieutenant to the 
king's majesty of his castle at Norwich, he informeth the 
court that divers inhabitants near the said castle have voyed 
and cast into the dikes, dung, &c, to the hindrance of the 
defence of the same ; and desireth reformation. And he 
was answered, that Mr. Mayor hath had a vigilant eye to 
the premises, but as yet non offenders can be proved, &c. 
And thereupon, the said Sir John Godsalve saith, that he 
would get licence to build one of the towers, and then 
watch the said offenders, and that they should come at 
their peril. 

This was just before the breaking out of Rett's re- 
bellion. 

At a court of mayoralty, the sixteenth of July, the 
twelfth of James the first, two labourers ordered to carry 
away all such muck as they have cast in or near the castle 



APPENDIX. 



dikes, and that this week, upon pain of whipping ; never 
to offend in the like. 

A.D. 1683. Mr. Robert Tompson, Dr. Burnett, and 
sixteen other persons, were questioned before the magis- 
trates for having carried soil, colder, and muck into the 
castle dikes, and for digging of the soil there* 

At an assembly, the twenty-fifth of February, 1651, 
a committee was ordered to view the way on the north and 
west side of the castle dikes, and consider whether the 
same be fit to be made a cart-way or not. And how the 
laying of muck in the dikes may be prevented (except 
where directed by the court of aldermen), and they pu- 
nished that have offended therein. 

But no such way was made then ; for, in my remem- 
brance, the ditch on those sides was very large and deep, 
and the way next the houses too narrow for a cart ; and, in 
the memory of ancient men, so narrow, that in one place 
only a board or plank was laid for a foot-passage (saith 
Justice Thacker), though for about twenty years past it has 
been otherwise. Houses have been built on it on the west 
side, and besides, before them and all round, now the way 
is large enough for carts. 



FURTHER OF THE SAME, AND OF A POUND THERE. 

At a court of mayoralty, the fifth of September, 1655, 
James Hardingham, John Rochester, Thomas Dussinge, 
and John Buston are appointed surveyors of the Castle 
and Fee, with James Pomfret and Thomas Balles, to survey 
the dikes and grounds about the same, and apprehend such 
poor people as do dig in the hills there, and lay muck 



* Cur. 16th November, 1633. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



319 



where it is inconvenient ; and to bring them before the 
mayor, or some other justice of the peace of the city, to be 
punished. And to present such as lay timber, or feed any 
cattle upon the same ground. And they of the fee have 
liberty to set up a pound, for the impounding of such cattle 
as are wrongfully kept there : so they do it at their own 
charge. 

Also, at a court of mayoralty, the twenty-sixth of No- 
vember, 1679, the inhabitants of the Castle and Fee have 
liberty to erect a pound in such convenient place as the 
chief of them think most fit. And the sheriffs are to have 
the profit thereof; and the pounder to dwell upon the fee. 
The charge of making and keeping the same in repair to 
be by the said inhabitants. 



OF THE MARKET THERE. 

The south-west part of the hills and grounds lying 
without the ditch of the castle is used for a market-place 
for cattle every Saturday, as for neat cattle, cows and calves, 
swine, &c. And so is the void ground which lies near it 
(but out of the fee of the castle), called hog-hill. 

Also the plain which lies on the east side of the castle- 
hill, called the castle-meadows, is used for a market at 
Good-Friday, and Whitsun, and Trinity fair-days, for the 
black cattle, or steers, which are yearly brought from Scot- 
land and the north parts of England, to be here sold to 
graziers, &c, and fattened for beef. 

At an assembly, the third of June, the fourteenth of 
James the first, the committees touching the market at 
Timber-hill [means here the place now called hog-hill, as 
I think], do certify that they think fit the same should be 
made according to the plat [viz. in pounds for stowing 



320 



APPENDIX. 



cattle in as it seems], and that Thomas Thurston, the carpen- 
ter, demandeth for the same thirty pounds. This assembly 
think fit not to consent thereto, but do decree that the 
market for cattle shall from henceforth be kept in the 
castle dykes, and not elsewhere. 

OF THE CUSTODES. OR WARDENS AND CONSTABLES 
OF THE CASTLE. 

The castle of Norwich was from time to time com- 
mitted by the king to a custos, or warden, and to a constable 
under him, who were to take care that it should be safely 
kept to the king's use, and to see to the repairing of it 
when necessary. 

And these were the custodes and constables of it that 
I have met with : — 

Ralph, earl of the East Angles, who rebelled against 
the Conqueror, seems to have had the custody of this castle 
under him. After which,* I do not find that any king 
thought it convenient to make an earl of Norfolk custos of 
it, saving that the young rebellious King Henry, the son 
of King Henry the second, the better to attach Hugh Bigot 
to his party, promised the custody of our said castle to him 
and his heirs for ever, a.d. 1173. But this never took 
effect. 

In old time, such grants of principal castles, with 
the sheriffalty of counties, were often made by the kings : 
as King Henry the first granted or confirmed to Walter 
de Beauchamp the castle of Worcester and sheriffalty 
of Worcestei^hire, which had been held by Urso de 
Abitot hereditarily in the time of King William the Con- 
queror, whose daughter and heir, Emeline, this Walter 

* But query, if for the Bigods ? 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



821 



married. King Stephen dispossessed his son, William de 
Beauchamp, of the said castle, which hereditarily descended 
to him from Urso aforesaid ; but Maud, the empress, re- 
stored it to him, to hold of her and her heirs in capite, 
together with the sheriffalty of that county, &c. Walter, 
his grandson, the first of Henry the third, had restitution 
of his castle of Worcester and sheriffalty of the county, to 
enjoy till the king should be fourteen years of age, &c. 
Thomas Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, the eighteenth of 
Edward the third, had a grant of the sheriffalty of Warwick 
and Leicester shires for the term of his life.* 

In like manner, King William Rufus bestowed on 
Richard de Redvers, earl of Devon, the castle of Exeter, 
with the sheriffalty of the county of Devon, which his 
father had before, paying a certain annual rent.t 

But King William the Conqueror, in the ninth year 
of his reign, made Hubert, the second son of Hubert de 
Rya, governor of it.+ 

And the constableship of the same castle was granted 
by H. de Rya to Hubert [query, Richard ?] de Bavent and 
his heirs, as we find in a petition to the parliament, the 
fourth of Edward the third.§ 

It seems, from the pipe-roll of the sixteenth of King 
John, that Robert Fitz-Roger, of Clavering, had lately the 
custody of it. For thus we find in the record, viz. Margaret, 
who was the wife of Robert Fitz-Roger, [gave] one thou- 
sand marks to have seisin of her whole inheritance, whereof 
the aforesaid Robert was seised the day whereon he died. 

* Dugd. Bar. 1, pp. 225, 226, 232. f Id. 1, p. 254. 
\ P. L.N.N. Dugd. Bar. 1, p. 109, (but does not mention the year, 
and refers to Monast. Aug. ii., p. 892, &c.) 
§ Pet. Pari. 4 Edw. in. apud Wynton ante Festum S. Greg. Pap. 
No. 92. P. L.N.N. 

Y 



APPENDIX. 



So, nevertheless, that she shall stand to the law, if any 
person will implead her; and reserving in the king's hand 
the castle of Norwiz, so long as it shall please the king : and 
thus also, that she may have right in the king's court con- 
cerning her inheritance, which her father had on the day 
when he died,* &c. 

This Margaret (or, as she is elsewhere called, Margery) 
was the daughter and heir of William de Kaysneto (or 
Cheyney) lord of the barony of Horsford, which William, 
being many years sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, in Henry 
the second's time, if not in King Stephen's, was often sur- 
named ( Vicecomes or) the sheriff; and having, probably, on 
that account, resided much at Norwich (in the castle I 
suppose), he was otherwise called William de Norwico. 
His brother John was sheriff, 1137 ; whom I take to be the 
same with John de Norwico,-\ one of the witnesses to the 
charter of agreement made between King Stephen and 
D. Henry, a.d. 1153; and their father, who was Robert 
Fitz-Walter (founder of St. Faith's abbey, at Horshani, 
near Norwich), had also been sheriff of these counties in 
King Henry the first's time. 

And from the said surname de Nortvico, but more 
clearly from the clause about our castle in the said roll, 
the custody of it seems to have been granted by King- 
Henry the first or second to this family. 

And in the pipe-roll of the following year, John Mare- 
shall and John [query, Robert?] Fitz-Roger {query, ancestor 
of the family de Thorp ?) are mentioned to be custode8,t 
made governors of the castles of Norwich and Orford.§ 

* May. Rot. 16 Johan. Rot. 16, Norf. et Suff. ap. Madox Excheq. p. 340. 
f There appears to be some error here, as the family of De Norwico, or 
De Norwich, were a junior branch of the Bigods. 
f May. Rot. 17 Joh. Norff. et Suff. P. L.N.N and Duyd. 
§ Duyd. Bar. v. 1, p. 107, ex Pat. 17 and p. 599, Joh. m. 22. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



The custody of the said castle was committed by King 
John to John, Lord Marshall, and John Fitz-Hobert, 
sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, jointly.* 

The said John Fitz-E-obert was sheriff in the sixteenth 
and seventeenth of King John, and in the seventeenth year 
John Mareschal was associated with him in the sheriffalty. f 

The same year, (the said Fitz-Roger adhering to the 
baron's party against the king) by the king's patent, the 
great Hubert de Burgo was constituted governor, a.d. 1215, 
the nineteenth of July.* 

The same year, Thomas de Burgo, brother of Hubert, 
was \castellanus] governor, but deserted it upon the ap- 
proach of the army of Lewis. 

But although he fled in hope to escape, he was taken 
prisoner and put under safe keeping. His brother Hubert 
defended valiantly the castle of Dover. Yet Lewis had 
good hope that, through the means of Thomas de Burgh, he 
should persuade him to yield it, and assayed to obtain his 
purpose by threatening to hang Thomas before his brother's 
face, if he would not yield the sooner ; but in vain. Then 
he sought to win him by large offers of money, and, lastly, 
threatened to put all within it to death. But such was the 
singular constancy of Hubert, that he would not be terrified 
nor corrupted, but maintained the castle against all the 
fierce assaults of the Frenchmen.^ 

And William de Bellomonte, marshal of the Lord 
Lewis, held the castle of Norwich for him.^i 

In the twenty-fifth of Henry the third, it was ordered 
in the exchequer that the sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk 

* Peerage of England, ii., part 2, p. 221. 
f Dugd. Bar. 1, p. 599, ex. Pat. 17 John m. 22. 
\ Dugd. Pat. 17 Joh. m. 18. Dugd. Bar. v. 4, p. 693. 
§ Hollingshed, &c. \ Pat. 1 Hen. m. m. 6. 

Y 2 



324 



APPENDIX. 



should have the custody of this castle and that of Orford, 
and at his own charges,* Sec. 

And the year after, the said counties and custody were 
accordingly committed to Hamon Passelew, during the 
king's pleasure, under the same form and in the same 
manner in which Henry de Neketon (late sheriff) had 
them.t 

The forty-fifth of Henry the third. — Philip Marmion, 
of Tarn worth castle, was made sheriff and custos of Norwich 
castle and that of Orford. % 

And thus it continued many years. And agreeably 
hereto, I have seen the copy of a writ of Dedimus potesta- 
tem, of the eleventh of Edward the second, to Robert de 
Langele, prior of Norwich, of the following tenor : — 

" Edward, by the grace of God, king of England, lord 
of Ireland, &c, to our beloved in Christ, the prior of the 
church of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, greeting. Whereas 
we have committed to our beloved and faithful John How- 
ard, the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, and our castle of 
Norwich, with their appurtenances, to keep so long as it 
shall please us, even as, &c. We have given you power 
of receiving the oath of the same John, according to the 
tenor of a schedule inclosed, &c. And command that you 
certify us hereof, under your seal without delay. Witness 
myself at Ware, the thirteenth of October, in the eleventh 
year of our reign." 

Dugdale, in his Baronage, has observed that he was 
this year made governor.^ 



* Commwiia, Mich. 25 Hen. in. f Mich. 26 Hen. in. Com. in Scacc. 
\ Pat. 45 Hen. m. m. 3 et 8, apud Dugd. Bar. 1, p. 376. 
§ Dugd. Bar. ii., p. 265, ex Rot. Fin. 4 Edw. u. Reyist. 9, Eccles. 
Cath. Norw. No. 107. 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



325 



The fifth of Edward the third, Roger de Kerdeston 
was made sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, and governor of 
the castle at Norwich.* 



OF THE CONSTABLES IN PARTICULAR. 

Henry the third. — John de Vallibus, or Vaux, was 
constable, the forty-eighth of Henry the third and fifty- 
first of Henry the third. f 

Edward the first. — Peter de Wytefeld, constable; 
Thomas Spigurnell, constable.* 

Edward the second. — Magister William de Ruddham, 
constable, the sixteenth of Edward the second.§ 

Edward the third. — Roger Clerk, constable, the thirty- 
ninth of Edward the third.^l 

Richard the second. — The custody of the castle of 
Norwich, with the king's gaol there, was granted to John 
de Gray for life, the fifth of Richard the second. j| 

Henry the fourth. — John Reymes, constable, the tenth 
of Henry the fourth.** 

Henry the fifth. 

Henry the sixth.ff 

Edward the fourth. — Sir John Howard, knight, con- 
stituted constable, the fourth of Edward the fourth.* + 

Henry the seventh. — William Willoughby, the first of 

* Dugd. Bar. ii., p. 113, Rot. Fin. 5 Edw. in. m. 14. 
f Pat. 48 Hen. in. 771. 12, D. Rymer. v. I, p. 792, and Pat. 51 Hen. ni. m. 21, 
(Dugd. Bar. 1, p. 526, Governor.) 
\ Rot. extract Itiquisic. Hundr. de Humilyerd, 3 Edw. 1. reman, in Cur. 
Recept. Scaccar. 
§ Arch. E. N. f Arch. E. N. \\ Claus. 5 Rich. 11. m. 35. 
** Rot. Cong, and Comp. Thes. 10 Hen.iv. 
ff Pat. 1 Edw. iv. p. 1, m. 16. Dugd. Bar. ii., p. 265. 
|| P. L.N.N, ex M.S. Compot. J. H. mil 



APPENDIX. 



Henry the seventh, had a grant of the office of constable 
and keeper of Norwich castle for life, with the fees as in 
the times of Edward the third and Richard the second, 
dated the fifth of March * 

Henry Wyot, the next year, had a grant of the con- 
stableship of the castle of Norwich, and custody thereof, 
and of the gaol there for life, with the fees belonging, dated 
the fourth of September.f H. Wyot was constable the 
fifth of Henry the seventh.^ 

Henry the eighth. — Thomas B alien, one of the knights 
for the king's body (afterwards earl of Wiltshire) was, in 
the third of Henry the eighth, constituted governor of this 
castle, jointly with Sir Henry Wyot, knight, master of the 
king's jewel-house. And, the seventh of Henry the eighth, 
was made constable thereof alone. § 

Edward the sixth. — Sir John Godsalve, knight, was 
lieutenant of the castle, the third of Edward the sixth, as 
is before mentioned. 

Queen Mary. 

Elizabeth. 

James the first. — Robert Moore, the fourth of James 
the first, had a grant of the office of keeper of this castle, 
with usual fees, for term of life.^I 

FEES OF THE CUSTOS AND CONSTABLE. 
The fee of the keeper of the castle, which was allowed 
by the king to the sheriff [in his accompt] yearly, was 
twenty pounds. || 

* Pat. 1 Hen vn. pars 2. 
f Pat. 2 Hen. vn. {alias, the eleventh of October, 1 Hen. vn. pt.3, query.) 
X Compot. Camer. 5 Hen. vn. 
§Dugd. Bar. ii., p. 306, ex Pat. 3 Hen. vin. p. 3, and 7 Hen. vm. p. 3. 
% Pat. 4Jac. i. P. L.N.N. 
|| Clans. 5 Ric. ii. //I. 35, (e.v Rot. Scaccar.) 



NORWICH CASTLE. 



The fee of the constable of the castle, twenty-three 
pounds eight shillings.* 

In the fourth of Edward the fourth it was six pounds 
thirteen shillings and fourpence. — " Item. Received of the 
under-sheriff of Norfolk, for my master's fee for constabyl- 
sheppe of Norwich, six pounds thirteen shillings and 
fourpence."f 

An inquest was taken, the sixth of Richard the second, 
concerning the fees due to the constable hereof.* 

And in a list of the several officers of the king's courts, 
customs, &c. castles, &c. by Captain Lazarus Haward, 1660, 
is noted : — 

£. 8 d. 

Constable of the castle of Norwich. — Fee ... 13 6 8 
Keeper thereof. — Fee 6 13 4 



* P. L.N.N. 

f Comp. Joh. Br nine, Servient. Dni. Joh. Howard, mil. P.L.N. N. 
\ Inquis. 6 Rich. n. No 



FINIS. 



CHARLES SLOMAN, PRINTER, 
GREAT YARMOUTH. 



INDEX. 



A. 

Abbey of St. Edmund's Bury, list of the fees and services of its ra " e ' 

Knights ... ... ... ... ... ... 264 

Alba flrma, rents paid by, to the Castle of Norwich ... 294 
Aldermen, Common- Council Men, and Sheriffs required to lend 

tapestry to St. Andrew's Hall, on occasion of St. George's Guild 76 

Altar of the Dominican Church, now used as a table ... 61 

Anchorites ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 

Andrew, Chaplain of Cringleford, buried in the Church of the 

Dominicans, 1397 ... ... ... ... ... 29 

Argentein, Dame Lora, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

temp. Ed.i. ... ... ... ... ... 171 

Arms of the Worstead- Weavers' Company, Masons' Company, &c. 

placed in St, Andrew's Hall ... ... ... 77 

Artillery- Company, have the churchyard and south porch of the 

former Dominican Church for their use ... ... 79 

Arundel, Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, entertained by the 

Carmelites, on his visit to Norwich ... ... ... 161 

Aslake, Elizabeth, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1503 169 

Attezatys, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1439 119 

Austin Friars, their origin ... ... ... ... 129 

Do their establishment in Norwich ... ... 132 



Do the situation of their Monastery ... ... 135 

Do possess the Church of St. Michael of Conesford 

within their enclosure ... ... ... ... 135 

Do maintain a Friar to say Mass daily in Thorp Chapel, 

within St. Michael of Conesford's Church ... ... 136 

Do altars in their Church .... ... ... 146 

Do dimensions of their Church ... ... 146 

Do guilds held in their Church ... ... 147 

Do priors of their Order ... ... ... 147 

Do destruction of their Church ... ... 147 

Do suppression of their Monastery ... ... 147 



Aylemer, Roger, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1492, 

and Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 121 



INDEX. 



B. 

Pa*e 



Bacon, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1460, 

and Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 141 

Bacon, John, of Baconsthorpe, buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1462, and Extract from his Will ... ... 141 

Bainard, Robert, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1330 118 

Baker, Walter, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1371 1 18 

Banham, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1372 29 
Barnard, Robert, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1509, 

and Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 34 

Barry, Sir Edmund, Knt., buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

1433 168 

Beamond, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1529, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 170 

Beisby, William, Extract from his Will ... ... ... 126 

Bekyllys, Thomas, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Bells in the Church of the Dominicans, inscription on them 59 

Bemunde, Dr. Roger, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Benefactors to the corn-stock for the poor ... ... 93 

Do to the several Orders of Friars in Norwich ... 187 

Berney, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1515 142 
Bigott, Elizabeth, Lady, buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1462 ... ... ... ... ... 141 

Bigot, Hugh, seized, Norwich Castle upon King Stephen's death 253 

Bigot, Roger, seized Norwich Castle in 1087 ... ... 253 

Bixtone, Walter de, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1403 29 

Bishop of Norwich, to be Visitor of St. Paul's Hospital ... 213 
Biakeney, Dame Jone, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 

and Extract from her Will, 1502 ... ... ... 32 

Blaunche-flower, ancient name for Norwich Castle ... 246 
Blyklyng, Robert, Extract from his Will, requiring the Austin 

Friars to say Placebo and Mass for him ... ... 145 

Bocle, Sampson, makes bequests to the Austin Friars ... 145 

Books, list of, in the library of the Carmelites ... ... 178 

Booths pitched upon the castle dykes and hills at Assize-time, &c. 314 

Boys, Austen, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1503 33 

Botyld, Nicholas, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1436 139 

Boxforth, Christian, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1529 170 

Boyes, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1433 119 

Bradefield, Sir Win. de, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1391 168 

Braklee, John, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1442 119 



INDEX. 

Page 

Bridewell at Norwich, (see St. Paul's Hospital) ... ... 220 

Do legacies and gifts to it ... ... ... 220 

Briggs, Thomas, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Brocker, Alice, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1474 119 

Brokedyss, Sir Robt., buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1379 138 
Brygg, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1494, and 

Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 121 

Brygges, William, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Brygham, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1496 142 

Bulwarde, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1480 142 

Bumstede, Jowet, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1472 32 

Burchester, name by which Norwich Castle was known, 481 246 
Burgh Castle, in Suffolk, maintains one cross-bow man at Norwich 

Castle ... ... ... ... ... ... 290 

C. 

Calthorpe, Sir William, Knt., buried in the Church of the Car- 
melites, 1494, and Extract from his Will ... ... 169 

Carbonell, Margaret, Lady, buried in the Church of the Grey 

Friars, 1431 119 

Carbonell, Sir Richard, Knt., buried in the Church of the Grey 

Friars, 1429 ... ... ... ... ... 119 

Carmelites, or White Friars, their origin ... ... ... 150 



Do their first settlement in England ... ... 151 

Do their establishment in Norwich ... ... 152 

Do the site of their Monastery, and the lands they acquired 152 

Do the building and dedication of their Church ... 156 

Do compositions made between them and the Prior and 

Convent of the Cathedral ... ... ... ... 157 

Do grant of free-carriage through the city, made to them 

by the Corporation ... ... ... ... 164 

Do the images in their Church ... ... ... 176 

Do the lights in their Church ... ... ... 176 

Do the chapels in their Church ... ... 176 

Do the guilds held in their Church ... ... 176 

Do the dimensions of their Church ... ... 177 

Do the anchorite attached to their Monastery ... 177 

Do the library of their Monastery ... .. 178 

Do list of the Priors of their Order ... ... 180 

Do dissolution of their Monastery ... ... 181 



INDEX. 

Carmelites, persons to whom the land and premises of their Mon- ^ 

astery and Church passed after their dissolution ... 182 

Caryoll, Cecily, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1446 29 

Castle, original form of the hill ... ... ... ... 240 

Do. ... description and dimensions ... ... ... 240 

Do. ... ancient out- works and towers ... ... ... 241 

Do. ... battlements taken down, 1707 ... ... ... 241 

Do. ... cracks or clefts in the hill ... ... ... 242 

Do. ... its walls antiently reached the Church of St. John of Timberhill 243 

Do. ... its antiquity ... ... ... ... ... 243 

Do. ... a prison for State-prisoners ... ... ... 254 

Do ... fortified by King Edward ii. ... ... ... 255 



Castle-guard, paid by the Isle of Ely to Norwich Castle ... 248 

Do levied by William the Conqueror upon Church lands 250 

Do rents paid to the Castle by the Bishop of Norwich 258 

Do. rents paid to the Castle by the Abbey of Bury 261 

Do rents paid to the Castle by private individuals ... 286 

Do services paid to Norwich Castle ... ... 257 

Do services paid to the Castle by the Monastery of Ely 273 

Do services — the Monastery of Ely released of this service 

by King Henry i. ... ... ... ... 274 

Do services paid to the Castle by the Abbey of St. Bennett 

in the Hulme ... ... ... ... ... 280 

Do services — the Abbey of St. Bennett released of this 



service by King Henry i. ... ... ... .. 280 

Castone, Joane, Lady, benefactress to the Austin Friars ... 143 

Cawmbrygg, Alice, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1479 32 
Chapel of the Dominican Church, used as a Playhouse, temp. 

Henry viii., Edward vi., and Queen Anne. ... ... 58 

Chapel of St. Nicholas in the Castle, called the " King's Free Chapel " 298 
Charnel- House of St. John, converted into the House for the 

Free-School ... ... ... ... ... 223 

Chaucer, his description in the Sompner's Tale of the vices of 

the Friars ... ... ... ... ... 193 

Chrispyne, Richard, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1535 143 
Church of St. Paul, Norwich, its dedication by Tedbald, Archbishop 

of Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 202 

Coenobites ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 

Colam, Roger, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1529, and 

Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 35 

Confraternity, Letters of, used by the Dominican Friars ... 37 

Do used by the Grey Friars ... ... 123 



INDEX. 



Page 

Confraternity, Letters of, addressed by the Provincial of the Grey 

Friars to Thomas Bate and his Family .. ... 124 

Constables of the Castle ... ... ... ... 325 

Corn- Stock for Poor, established in buildings formerly belonging 

to the Dominican Monastery ... ... ... 8? 

Corporation of Norwich, released from performing homage and fealty 

for the premises late the Dominican Monastery ... 17 

Cowtyng, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1503 34 
Cowgate, Frater Philippus, Founder of the Carmelite Monastery 

in Norwich, buried in the Church of that Establishment, 1283 175 
Crongthorp, Sir Wm., Knt., and Dame Alice, buried in the Church 

of the Carmelites ... ... ... ... 171 

Crucifixes painted on the walls of the Dominican Cloisters ... 48 

Crucifix in the Church of the Dominicans, its taking down ... 56 

Do riven into blocks, to heat the Plumbers' Irons ... 56 

Crypt under the Dominican Monastery, used as a Chapel to 

St. Thomas a Becket ... ... ... ... 68 

Cursone, Philip, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, and 

Extract from his Will, 1502 33 

Custodes of the Castle ... ... ... ... ... 320 

D. 

Dade, Oliver, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1516 122 

Derham, Galfridus de, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Diminution of the Immunities of the Castle-Fee ... ... 304 

Dissenting Congregations have the use of a portion of the former 

Dominican Monastery for their Meeting- Houses ... 94 

Ditches of the Castle preserved with great care ... ... 315 

Dominican, or Black, or Preaching Friars, their origin ... 2 

Dominican Friars, their establishment at Norwich ... 6 



Do their Monasteries and Churches ... 17 

Do their first Monastery and Church in Norwich 17 

Do their second Monastery and Church in Norwich 21 

Do. their common seal ... ... ... 4 

Do '. their Monastery burnt ... ... ... 28 

Do their Church re-built ... ... 29 

Do the Chapels belonging to their Church ... 38 

Do the Altars in their Church ... ... 38 

Do the Images in their Church ... ... 38 

Do the Lights in their Church ... ... 38 

Do the Guilds attached to them ... ... 38 



INDEX. 

Dominican Friars, carvings m wood, painted and gilt, in the choir 

of their Church ... ... ... ... ... 38 



Do Church of, converted into a Hall for the Corporation 52 

Do the choir into the Dutch Church 53 

Do Library of their Monastery ... ... 39 

Do names of their Priors ... ... ... 40 

Do cloisters of their Monastery ^. ... 47 

Do School-house attached to their Monastery 40 

Dominican Monastery, Ancress-house attached to it ... 51 

Do the Preaching-yard attached to it ... 64 

Do its demolition, alterations, &c. ... 49 

Do sale of painted glass, a stoup for holy water, &c, 

at the time of its demolition ... ... ... ... 49 

Do sale of furniture, materials, &c, at the time 

of its demolition ... ... ... ... ... 50 

Do new buildings erected on its site ... 65 



Dominick, St., account of ... ... ... ... 3 

Drury, Ann, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1503 ... 33 

Dunewico, Wm. de, benefactor to the order of Sack Friars ... 100 

Dunwich, Friars of ... ... ... ... ... 7 

Dutch Congregation established in the choir of the Dominican Church 61 
Dyghton, John, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1483, and 

Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 120 

E. 

Earlham Manor, pays sixty shillings yearly to Norwich Castle 292 

Earlham, Ralph de, maintains one Cross-Bow Man at Norwich Castle 293 

Ecclesiastical Immunities of the Castle- Fee ... ... 303 

Edenham, Nicholas de, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Elys, Anastas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1502 122 

Erlham, John de, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1423 168 
Erpingham, Sir Thomas, his Arms on the Church of the Dominicans 29 

Evangelium iEternum ... ... ... .. ... 6 

Everard, Alice, Lady, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1391 168 

Exchange held in St. Andrew's Hall ... ... ... 77 

F. 

Fastolf, Sir John, his arms on painted glass in the Church of the 

Austin Friars ... ... ... . . ... 146 

Fastolfe, Jone, buried in the Church of the Carmelites ... 171 

Fees of the Gustos and Constable of Norwich Castle ... 326 



INDEX. 

Page 

Felbrigg, Katherine, Lady, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1459 31 



Felbrigg, Sir Simon, his arms in the Church of the Dominicans 29 
Felmyngham, Elizabeth, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 

1522, and Extract from her Will ... ... ... 34 

Fisher, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1486 121 

Folsham, Frater Johannes, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1348 173 

Foster, Alice, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1459 31 

Foster, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1505 34 

Franchises, belonging to the inhabitants of the Castle Fee ... 298 

Francis, St., of Assisi, founder of the Grey Friars, his history 104 
Fraunsham, Joan, Extract from her Will, containing bequests to 

the Austin Friars ... ... ... .. ... 144 

Freman, Geffrey, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1501 122 

Fretone, Robert de, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 

Friars, their four Orders ... ... ... ... 2 

Do. ... Dominican, or Black Friars, their origin 2 

Do. ... Franciscans, or Grey Friars, their origin ... .. 104 

Do. ... of St. Mary ... ... ... ... ... 185 

Do. ... Minors or Minorites, their origin ... ... ... 104 

Do. ... Minors and Preachers, the arts by which they undermined 

the Monastic Orders ... ... ... ... 189 

Do. ... Minors, controversy between them and the Friars Preachers 190 

Do. ... de Penitentia, their origin ... ... ... 96 

Do. ... de Pica, origin of their name ... ... ... 186 

Do. ... Preachers or Dominican Friars, their origin ... 2 

Do. ... Preachers, their arrogance ... ... ... 191 

Do. ... of the Sack, or Sack Friars, their origin ... ... 96 

G. 

Gaol made in Norwich Castle, 4th Hen. in. ... ... 253 

Garter-Hill, site of the ancient Shire-House of the Castle ... 312 

Geddeney, Jone, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1508 34 

Gedge, John, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1467 168 
Geney, Sir John, Knt, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 

1454 139 

Gerbrigge, Dame Elizabeth, buried in the Church of the Car- 
melites, 1402 ... ... ... ... ... 171 

Gerbrigge, Sir Thomas, Knt., buried in the Church of the Car- 
melites, 1430 ... ... ... ... 171 

Gifts, rendered to the officers of the Castle by Religious Houses 296 

Gladen, William, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1479 168 



INDEX. 

Glawnvile, Richard, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1499 122 
Grammar-School, established in the buildings late the Dominican 

Monastery ... ... ... ... ... 52 

Grant, from King Henry vin. to the City of Norwich, of the 

Church of the Dominican Friars ... ... ... 44 

Grey Friars, Friars Minors, Minorites or Franciscans, their estab- 



lishment at Norwich ... ... ... ... 104 

Do distich describing them ... ... .. 108 

Do site of their Monastery ... ... ... 108 

Do obtain of Edward i. certain lands and tenements for 

the increase of their Monastery ... ... ... 109 

Do entertained at Christmas by the Monks of the Cathedral 123 

Do dimensions of their Church ... ... 125 

Do chapels in their Church ... ... ... 126 

Do images in their Church ... ... ... 126 

Do guilds held in their Church ... ... ... 126 

Do anchorite attached to their Church ... ... 126 

Do wardens of their Order ... ... ... 127 

Do their library ... ... ... ... 127 

Do the suppression of their Monastery ... ... 128 

Do sale of the site and premises to the Duke of Norfolk, 

and by him to the City of Norwich ... ... ... . 128 

Do the taking down of their Monastery ... ... 128 



Gros, Sir Oliver, Knt., buried in the Church of the Carmelites 171 

Guilds of various trades, their offerings at the Dominican Church 54 

Gurguntus, founder of Norwich Castle ... ... ... 244 

Guild of St. George and other Guilds held in St. Andrew's Hall 76 

Gybbes, Richard, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1433 139 
Gyney, Sir Thomas, Knt., buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1417 ... ... ... ... ... 139 

H. 

Haddon, Sir John de, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1370 118 

Hamond, Jamys, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1512 169 
Hanaberg, William, Prior- Provincial of the Order of Carmelites 



in England ... ... ... ... ... 161 

Hardeshille, Lady Petronilla de, buried in the Church of the Grey 

Friars, 1375 ... ... ... ... ... 118 

Harecok, Edmund, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 



Harpeley, Robert, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1477 32 
Harsyck, Lady Alice, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1458 31 



INDEX. 

Page 

Havyr, Margery, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1515, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 122 

Hayne, John, benefactor to the Dominican Friars ... ... 36 

Hemenhale, Thomas de, buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1375 ... ... ... ... ... 138 

Hemgrave, Alice, Lady, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 

1401 139 

Hemgrave, Sir Edmund, Knt., buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1379 ... ... ... ... ... 138 

Hermits ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 

Herbert, William, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1474 120 
Herringfieet, St. Olave's Priory at ... ... .. 7 

Herryessone, Reginald, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1458 31 
Hevyngham, John, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1523 170 
Heywarde, Katerin, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1537, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 143 

Hildebrond's Hospital, its foundation ... ... ... 230 



Do a place of lodging*f or poor people ... 230 

Do its chapel ... ... ... 230 

Do grant from Roger de Duneviz of the land 

on which it was built ... ... ... ... 231 

Do its revenues ... ... ... 231 

Do the grounds and messuages that belonged to it 232 

Do rents resolute by it ... ... 233 

Do benefactors to it ... ... ... 233 

Do afterwards called Ivy-hall ... ... 234 

Do bequests to it ... ... ... 234 

Do list of its Masters ... ... 235 

Do its site came into the hands of the Dean 

and Chapter ... ... ... ... ... 236 



Hillde, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1394 29 

Holonde, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1501 142 

Holm, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1439 139 
Hoode, Isabelle, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1504, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 122 

Horn, Stephen, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1381 139 

Hospital of St. Paul, its foundation in Norwich ... ... 194 



Do Charters to the Convent there ... 195 

Do confirmation of its possessions by Henry, 

brother of King Stephen ... ... ... ... 201 

Do its possessions in Norwich, Grmesby, 



Blofield, Marsham, &c. ... ... ... ... 204 



INDEX. 

Page 

Hospital of St. Paul, receipts of the Master from tithes in various 

places ... ... ... ... ... ... 205 

Do the whole parish of St. Paul in Norwich 

held of it ... ... ... ... ... ... 206 

Do receives from Henry i. the allowance of 

threepence per day ... ... ... ... 207 

Do receives by Charters from Henry i., Stephen, 

John, &c, the tithe of the Royal Hall at Ormesby ... 208 
Do changed from its original intention to become 

a lodging-place for poor travellers ... ... ... 210 

Do benefactors to the establishment ... 210 

Do also called Norman's Spital ... ... 212 

Do also called " The Systers of Normans" 219 

Do the Master to be always one of the Monks 

of the Cathedral ... ... ... ... ... 212 

Do masters or wardens ... ... 212 

Do. ... list of the governesses ... ... 215 

Do granted by the Dean and Chapter to the City 

of Norwich ... ... ... ... ... 218 

Do converted into a "Work-house and House of 

Correction... .. ... ... ... ... 219 

Do called Bridewell ... ... ... 220 

I. 

Ingham, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, and 

Extract from his Will, 1451 ... ... ... ... 30 

Ingham, Sir Oliver, Knight, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

1292 171 

J. 

Jacobites, another name for the Dominican Friars ... 6, 38 

Jeckis, Ann, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1504 ... 34 

Johnson, Gerrard, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1505 34 
Jurisdiction within the Castle- Fee, granted to the Citizens of 

Norwich ... ... ... ... ... ... 311 

K. 

Kaier Guntum and Kaier Guthelinum, ancient names of Norwich 

Castle 244 

Kateryn Man, Ancress at the Dominican Monastery . . 51 

Kerdestone, Sir Thomas, Knight, buried in the Church of the 

Austin Friars, 144G, and Extract from his Will ... ... 140 



INDEX. 

Pape 

Knights' Fees, forty-one paid to the Castle by the Bishop ... 258 

Do forty paid to the Castle by the Abbey of Bury 261 

Do the Abbey of Bury released of this service by 

King Stephen ... ... ... ... ... 261 

Do belonging to the Bishoprick of Ely ... 278 

Do belonging to the Abbey of St. Bennett in the Hulme 282 

Kynynghale, Frater Johannes, Prior Provincial of England, buried 

in the Church of the Carmelites, 1450 ... ... 174 

L. 

Lectornes made for the Chapel of the Dominican Church ... 58 

Ledman, William, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1441 119 
Lennox, James, First Duke of, has a Lease of the Crown-Seal Duties 

at Norwich ... ... ... ... ... 84 

Letter from the Clergy, complaining of the pride of the Friars 

Preachers and Minors ... ... ... ... 192 

Lewis of France, garrisoned Norwich Castle, in 1216 ... 253 
Leycester, Frater Johannes, Archiepiscopus Smirnanensis, buried 

in the Church of the Carmelites, 1424 ... ... 172 

Library for the use of the Preachers at St. Andrew's Hall, established 

in the chambers above the south porch ... ... 80 

Lions, passant regardant, carved above the great entrance of Norwich 

Castle ... ... ... ... ... ... 257 

Lockwode, Wm., buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1471 31 

Lyncoln Wm., buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1506 34 

Lyston, Isabel, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1490 121 

M. 

Maggessone, William, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 

1445 140 

Market upon the Castle-Hill ... ... ... ... 319 

Marmion, Philip, of Tarn worth, custos of Norwich Castle ... 324 

Maloysel, Amabilla, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1383 139 
Marchale, Katherine, benefactress to the Church of the Dominicans, 

1458 31 

Martyn Henry, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1386 139 

Matthew Paris, his account of the arrogance of the Preaching Friars 192 

Mayes, Wm., buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1448 ... 30 

Mendicant Friars, their four Orders ... .. ... 2 

Mint, established on the spot, formerly the cloisters of the 

Dominican Monastery ... ... ... ... 48 



INDEX. 

Page 

Moreton, Wm., Earl of, receives Norwich Castle from King Stephen 253 
Morley, Cecilee, Lady, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1386 139 
Morley, Sir Wm. D., Knight, buried in the Church of the Austin 

Friars, 1379, and Extract from his Will ... ... 138 

N. 

Necton, Frater Umfridus, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1303 172 
Nerford, Lady Petronilla de, Benefactress to the Order of Sack Friars 103 
Norman's Spital, or Hospital of St. Paul's ... ... ... 212 

Do received its name from Norman the Monk, first 

Master ... ... ... ... ... ... 213 

Do a portion of the'building retained as Aim-Houses 

in 1687 ... ... ... ... ... ... 227 

Do Manor, receipts and disbursements of the City of 

Norwich on behalf of it ... .. ... ... 228 

Norvico, Frater Gilbertus de, Episcopus Hamensis, buried in the 

Church of the Carmelites, 1287 ... ... ... 172 

Norwich, Isabell, Extract from her Will, requiring Masses and 

Trental from the Austin Friars ... .. ... 145 

Norwich, Robert, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1444 29 
Norwich, William, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1459 168 

O. 

Ocle, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1423 119 
Oldebeck, Henry, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1397 119 
Osteler, John, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1503, and 

Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 169 

P. 

Pagrave, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1467 31 

Parlet, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1439 29 

Paston, Clement, buried in the Church of the Carmelites ... 171 

Persons buried in the Church of the Dominicans ... ... 29 

Do. ... buried in the Church of the Grey Friars ... 118 

Do. ... into whose possession the lands and tenements late belong- 
ing to the Austin Friars, successively passed ... ... 148 

Peterson, Peter, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1497, and 

Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 32 

Petition to King Henry viii., from the City of Norwich, for the 

grant of the Dominican Church ... ... ... 42 

Petyson, William, makes bequests to the Austin Friars ... 145 



INDEX. 

Pa?e 



Peverell, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1435 139 

Phelippes, William, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1485 120 

Pica, Friars de, origin of theiv name ... ... .. 186 

Do their Churches and Monastery at Norwich ... 186 

Pillory, John Pratte nailed to, for feigning that he bore a commission 

for dissolving the Monastery of the Carmelites ... 181 

Pound within the Castle-fee, for impounding of cattle browzing there 318 

Prayer, for the deliverance from Purgatory of the souls of Carmelites 175 
Preaching-yard of the Dominicans, used for sermons in Rogation 

Week 65 

Preston, Alice, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1459 119 

Prises claimed by the Sheriff of Norfolk, as custos of Norwich Castle 295 

Proberd, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1475 32 
Portraits of Aldermen and other benefactors, placed in St. Andrew's 

Hall against St. George's feast or the Guild day ... 75 

Pulham, William de, benefactor to the Dominican Friars ... 36 

Pulham, William de, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1372 118 

Pynnesthorp, John, Prior of the Dominican Monastery ... 40 



Q. 

Queen Mary, her restoration of the altars in the Dominican Church 60 

R; 

Ralph, Earl of the East Angles, held Norwich Castle against 

William the Conqueror ... ... ... ... 252 

Recluses ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 

Rents of tenements and grounds formerly belonging to the Dominican 

Monastery ... ... ... ... ... 69 

Reppes, Sir John de, Knt., buried in the Church of the Grey 

Friars, 1373 ... ... ... ... ... 118 

Ronham, Isabella, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1503 33 
Rose, Frater Robertus, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1420 173 
Ryngman, Robert, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1453 119 

S. 

Sabern, John, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1457 ... 168 

Sack Friars, their establishment in the Parish of St. Peter Hungate 96 

Do their establishment in the Parish of St. Andrew 100 

Do the Seal of their Order ... ... ... 103 

St. Andrew's Hall, a pavement of Purbeck marble substituted for 

the grave-stones ... ... ... ... 72 



INDEX. 



St. Andrew's Hall, alterations made in order to adapt it to Municipal 

purposes ... ... ... ... ... ... 72 

Do a Brass Plate engraved with the City Arms, 

commemorating the alterations made in it ... ... 73 

Do used as a place of meeting by the Mayor and 

Aldermen on Sundays before the Cathedral .Service ... 73 

Do injury caused by the fall of the steeple ... 73 

St. Mary, Friars of, the site of their house in Norwich ... 185 
St. Paul's Hospital in Norwich, its foundation ... ... 194 

Salter, Thomas, his bequest to the Hospital of St. Paul ... 216 
Samson, Henry, Dean of Norwich, petitions against the immunities 

of the Castle-Fee ... ... ... ... ... 303 

Savage, Christine, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1440 168 
Saxlinghamthorp, John de, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

1376 168 

Scala Celi, Altar of, at the Church of the Austin Friars ... 145 
Sealing- Office for the Crown, to goods of Norwich-manufactory, 

established in a room next the former cloister of the Dominican 

Church ... ... ... ... ... ... 81 

Sealing- Office for the Dyer's Company, held at the east end of the 

former cloisters of the Dominican Church ... ... 86 

Seals, description of, affixed by the Crown to cloths of Norwich 

manufactory ... ... ... ... ... 83 

Sedgeford, Edmund, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1452, 

and Extract from his Will ... .. ... ... 30 

Services, due to the Castle of Norwich ... ... ... 285 

Do as stated in the Testa de 

Nevill, in the Exchequer ... ... ... ... 290 

Shattok, Wm., buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1382 29 
Shire-House within the Castle ... ... .. ... 311 

Shurlok, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1461 119 
Skelton, Cecily, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1484 120 
Skelton, Robert, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1485 142 
Skipwith, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1486, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 120 

Smythe, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1502 1*2 
Somerton, Sir Bartholomew, Knight, buried in the Church of the 

Carmelites ... ... ... ... ... 171 

Sotherton, Thomas, Alderman, proposes to erect a Wind- Mill on 

the Castle Hill 315 



INDEX. 



Page 

Southwelle, Edmund, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 

1492, and "Extract from his Will ... ... ... 142 

Southwode, William, willed to be carried to the grave by four Grey- 
Friars, 1505 ... 123 

Sparke, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1481 120 

Spryngewelle, John, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1496 122 

Steeple of the Dominican Church, its architecture and ornaments 79 
Stubbe, Wm., buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1458, 

and Extract from his Will ... ... ... ... 31 

Systers of Normans, or Hospital of St. Paul ... ... 219 

T. 

Tapestry hung upon St. Andrew's Hall against the Guild Day 75 
Thorp, Sir Edmund, Knight, grants the patronage of the Church 

of St. Michael of Conesforth to the Austin Friars ... 136 
Thorpe, Frater Johannes, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

1440 ... 174 

Thurton, Simon, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1443 29 

Thurtone, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1477 142 

Totenay, Roger, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1445 119 

Tylly, John, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, about 1439 29 



V. 

Vallibus, John de, benefactor to the order of Sack Friars ... 101 

Veer, Margery, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1465 141 

Vestments, belonging to the Church of the Dominicans ... 60 

W. 

Walloon Congregation, used as a Chapel the choir of the Dominican 

Church ... ... ... ... ... ... 61 

Walshe, Edward, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1514 122 
Walsingham, Frater Robertus, buried in the Church of the 

Carmelites, 1310 172 

Walsingham, Henry, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1437 119 
Walters, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 1511 169 
Weavers' Company, their feast in St. Andrew's Hall discontinued 

because of its luxury and expense ... ... ... 76 

Wetherby, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1457, 

and Extract from her Will ... ... ... ... 140 

Wetherby, Thomas, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1444 139 



£*4 % 



INDEX. 

Page 

Whitefare, Margaret, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1445 140 
Wodehouse, Sir John, bequeaths ,£20 for tapestry for St. Andrew's 

Hall 75 

Do lends all his own tapestry to adorn it, during 

his lifetime ... ... .. ... ... 75 

Woderove, Robert, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1501 32 
Workhouse for the poor, established in part of the buildings late the 

Dominican Monastery ... ... ... ... 95 

Worme, Alice, buried in the Church of the Dominicans, 1497 32 

Wychingham, Alice, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1475 142 
Wyth, Sir Geffrey, Knight, buried in the Church of the Carmelites, 

1373 168 

Wymondham, John, buried in the Church of the Austin Friars, 1475 142 

Wynke, Henry, buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, 1374 118 



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